Makhado Councillors shouted down all those who tried to appose the "gigantic ANC’s" decision to restart the process of renaming the town of Louis Trichardt.

A special council meeting was convened on April 12 to consider only one item: Judgement on the Chairpersons’ Association versus Minister of Arts and Culture: Name change of Louis Trichardt to Makhado.

The Makhado council accepted the EXCO’s recommendation that Council take note of the judgment, that Council again commence the process of renaming the town and that the Mayor appoint a naming committee.

This follows after the Supreme Court of Appeal on March 29 upheld the appeal brought by the CA and reviewed and set aside a decision made by the Minister of Arts and Culture in 2003 to change the name of the town Louis Trichardt to Makhado. The court held that there is a guideline that there has to be adequate consultation with affected communities and stakeholders before a name change can be approved and that such consultation had not taken place in the case of Louis Trichardt.

CA chairperson Mr André Naudé said that, if consultation processes would only be for lip service and window dressing, it would seem as if no one had learnt anything from the court judgment.

During the meeting, the bulldozing technique was apparent. In a show of complete disregard for basic constitutional rights, councillors of the Makhado Municipality refused to give opposing voices a chance to speak. Democratic Alliance Councillor Brian du Plooy tried to read the DA memorandum objecting to the proposal, but his voice was drowned by shouts and laughter. He was ruled out of order and the speaker proceeded.

PAC Cllr Radamba said that "this town will remain Makhado." At this stage, the municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi, proposed closure of the meeting. The meeting was out of control and the Speaker was seemingly unable to maintain any semblance of order.

DA Cllr Jacques Smalle objected and seconded the DA proposal that the judgment be accepted. Amidst the pandemonium, Cllr Smalle called for a Division which has the implication that every member of Council should individually say yes or no to the item. Cllr Smalle explained after the meeting that this implied that members of Council could then be sued for expenses. Smalle was shouted at to sit down.

An ANC Councillor said "The minority had proposed. The gigantic ANC had proposed and seconded. Apply your mind."

Instead of a division, a vote by show of hands was called. There were 55 votes in favour of the EXCO proposal to restart the name change process and five votes in favour of the DA proposal. There were two abstentions. Members of the public, who were not allowed to vote, tried to vote in favour of the EXCO proposal.

When the meeting was closed, placards with Makhado Town and Down with Louis Trichardt were carried by a mob who toyi-toyied and sang Zuma’s machine gun song.

Mr André Naudé said that the CA would definitely challenge the name change procedure should it not be a genuine process administered in a just, fair and transparent manner.

The spokesperson of the Makhado Municipality, Mr Peter Magwala, was not available for his scheduled consultation with the press to give comment or to supply the Council decision in writing.