The Democratic Alliance has requested a full report on the Matjhabeng Local Municipality council meeting held on 2 June, after 59 votes were recorded despite only 52 councillors being present on the virtual platform.

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 15:00, but the council was still waiting for a quorum at 15:15. About 90 minutes later, when a division was called on the Integrated Development Plan, only 52 councillors were present.

Acting speaker councillor Molefi initially ruled that councillors would be required to activate their cameras when voting to verify their identities. However, this requirement was not applied after councillors exerted pressure during the voting process.

Councillors who were not present when the vote was called were allowed to join the meeting and participate in the vote. A councillor who had submitted an apology was also permitted to vote.

When the final results were announced, 59 votes had been recorded – 40 in favour of the plan, 17 against, and two abstentions.

DA councillor Abigail Schoeman said the sequence of events warranted urgent clarification.

“If only 52 councillors were present when the division was initiated, council and the public deserve a clear explanation as to how 59 votes were ultimately counted,” Schoeman said.

She said the explanation that some councillors were sharing devices or connections was difficult to reconcile with the fact that all councillors are provided with the necessary equipment and connectivity to participate independently in virtual meetings.

Schoeman questioned why technical difficulties were not reported for an extended period, only for additional councillors to become available during a crucial vote.

The municipality employs an information technology support team to assist councillors with technical challenges.

The DA has called for a full report on attendance records for the meeting, clarification regarding the participation and voting eligibility of all councillors who voted, confirmation of the procedures followed during the division, and a review of council’s virtual meeting protocols.

“Democracy depends not only on the right to vote, but on a process that is transparent, credible, and beyond reproach,” Schoeman said.

“Residents deserve confidence that council decisions are taken lawfully, fairly, and in accordance with democratic principles.”

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