Controversial ANC deployed councilor at the Chris Hani
District Municipality (CHDM), Madoda Papiyana, has resigned as council chief
whip.
Papiyana’s resignation was discussed during a CHDM
virtual ordinary meeting that was held yesterday, 28 July.
The matter was not on the agenda
and council speaker Mxolisi Koyo asked that it be included in the agenda so
that no special council meeting will be called to discuss the matter.
“Allow me
to include this item in the agenda. When I received the letter, the agendas had
already been sent. We do not want to operate with a vacancy in that office. I
am even willing to give you time to think of a name that will fill the vacancy.
I would be disappointed if I don’t get approval of this item to be included,”
council speaker Koyo said.
Papiyana remains a councillor and he was
immediately elected to serve as a member of the municipal accounts committee
(Mpac).
News24 reported that Papiyana was arrested twice for
allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in April 2020 and October
2021. Another charge was for allegedly violating level 5 lockdown regulations
for transporting liquor.
Following his first arrest, Papiyana resigned as CHDM
chief whip and ANC regional treasurer in Chris Hani. He was later reinstated in
both positions after charges were provisionally withdrawn by the NPA with the
latter saying this was due to ongoing investigation and that he was not off the
hook.
It could not be established at the time of writing as
to why he had resigned again.
The police had not responded to requests for
comment and Papiyana did not respond to direct questions. If these comments are received, it will be added to this article.
Nobuntu Mgidi was
elected unopposed as the new chief whip, with UDM councillor
Zanemvula Deliwe approving the election.
As Mgidi had been a member of the Mpac, executive
mayor Wongama Gela lobbied for Papiyana to be elected to Mpac and council
approved the election.
Both appointments are effective from 1 August.
