Speaker's outburst condemned

Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS AND VIDEO - There was no love lost at the public participation process meeting in Aberdeen on Valentine's Day, 14 February, when upset community members shouted Dr Beyers Naude Municipality Speaker, Cheslin Felix down when he berated Graaff-Reinet Advertiser and correspondent Alex Lombaard during an angry tirade.

The meeting was scheduled to explain to the community the municipality's electricity proposals as submitted to Eskom, and included a presentation on alternative energy solutions by Christo Nicholls of the University of Stellenbosch.

Counsellor Yvonne Frazenburg opened the proceedings and after the presentation followed question time.

Everything went smoothly until Felix, in his vote of thanks, accused Graaff-Reinet Advertiser of publishing false information.

This happened shortly after Felix thanked Nicholls, the community and Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.

He then proceeded to caution Lombaard to report factually. What started as a caution to a media representative, quickly escalated into repeated accusations. Felix rebuked the Advertiser as publication and Lombaard personally.

"The Advertiser must write facts about the municipality, not the lies you always write. When people open the Advertiser, it's just lies, lies, lies," he exclaimed whilst mimicking opening and reading a newspaper. As his outburst continued, one of the audience members stood up and told Felix that he was crossing the line and needed to stop, but to no avail.

Apologise!

At this point more people stood up as they did not appreciate the fact that Felix had caused disorder with his outburst and insults. The community shouted at Felix and demanded that he apologise to Lombaard.

Lombaard then decided to leave the hall in an attempt to defuse the situation, but the audience had had enough and would not allow Felix to finish his vote of thanks.

Counsellor Riaan van Heerden then took control and closed the meeting. Both Counsellors Frazenburg and Van Heerden approached Lombaard to apologise for the behaviour of the Speaker.

Counsellor Van Heerden also undertook to submit a written complaint to the municipality. People who witnessed Felix's outburst labelled it an embarrassment to the Dr Beyers Naude municipality.

In the words of Councillor Van Heerden during his closing prayer:

"Untrue things have been said tonight, things that are not right have been said. And for that we repent. May we forgive and be forgiven for what was said."

Speaker Felix was approached for comment, but at the time of going to print at 15:00 on Wednesday afternoon 15 February, no comment had been received. His comment will be published online at www.graaffreinetadvertiser.com if and when received. We also asked him to provide us with specific examples of "lies" in the Advertiser.