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Pretoria - Action would be taken against the ANC caucus in Tshwane following violent clashes during a council sitting, the mayor’s office said on Wednesday.
The ANC’s conduct on Tuesday would be investigated and sanctions imposed, mayoral spokesperson Matthew Gerstner said.
"It is clear that the ANC came to council determined to disrupt the business of council. The conduct of the ANC through physical violence and assault, through throwing missiles and breaking property, goes beyond any reasonable conduct in any legislative body."
The violence on Tuesday started prior to the sitting when a group of protesters tried to get into the council chambers. Police intervened when they broke a glass door.
Inside the chamber, councillors attacked and threw objects at one another.
Gerstner said an ANC councillor would be investigated for slapping a female councillor to the ground. An female EFF councillor sustained injuries to her face. The ANC councillor under investigation had not been named yet.
The ANC had raised baseless objections against Mayor Solly Msimanga’s lawful appointments, Gerstner said.
"Notwithstanding any disputes about appointments, the aggressive and violent conduct of the ANC cannot justify any legitimate or illegitimate grievance," he said.
The ANC’s disruptions delayed council business, which would affect service delivery.
Msimanga would meet ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile and Premier David Makhura on Tuesday to discuss what happened.
The Tshwane ANC would hold a briefing on Thursday.
The ANC was unhappy with the appointments of councillor Gert Pretorius as a "chair of chairs", Marietha Aucamp as chief of staff, and Tiyiselani Babane as strategic executive in the office of the speaker.
