Buffalo City Metro mayoral committee member for finance Noma-Afrika Maxongo intends filing a complaint against mayor Princess Faku with the regional and provincial leadership of the ANC.
This comes after she was allegedly stopped from attending a finance meeting with municipal officials on Tuesday.
Faku had met senior staff, including city manager Mxolisi Yawa and acting chief financial officer Andile Xoseka, in the mayor’s parlour at the East London City Hall.
Maxongo said she attempted to join the meeting but was allegedly physically forced out the door by the mayor.
“I was deliberately sidelined by the mayor,” she alleged.
Maxongo said she would report the incident to ANC regional secretary Antonio Carels, provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi and provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane.
“I think the whole issue has to do with political differences between them more than anything.”
She would also bring it to the attention of senior council leaders, including chief whip Ntombizandile Mhlola and speaker Humphrey Maxegwana.
Faku, who is also Dr WB Rubusana regional chair, could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Yawa and Xoseka could not be reached for comment either.
Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya denied there had been any physical contact between Faku and Maxongo, but confirmed that there was “a minor misunderstanding”.
“According to witnesses present, there was no scuffle or manhandling between any parties.
“This was just a minor misunderstanding caused by a clash of meeting bookings.”
Maxongo said she had been due to meet the mayor, metro leadership and financial officials on Wednesday.
The meeting was to discuss critical issues including the billing challenges, cash flow and sponsorship.
However, she said this meeting was changed to Tuesday but she was not allowed to attend it.
Another mayoral committee member, who did not want to be named, said Maxongo was not meant to attend the Tuesday meeting.
“Maxongo insisted on being in the meeting that she was not supposed to be at, something that ignited the mayor to tell her to leave.
“I think the whole issue has to do with political differences between them more than anything.”
But Maxongo denied that, saying she had received an email inviting her to the meeting.
Maxegwana said the matter had not yet been reported to him, and he would be unable to comment.
Regional spokesperson Vuyo Jali declined to comment.
“But as soon as the ANC receives an official communication, we will act.”
ANC provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela said: “Once our deployees deem it fit to let us know about this matter, we will act accordingly.
“It’s unfortunate that they preferred to bring it to your [the Dispatch’s] attention as if you deployed them, not the ANC.”
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