THE gloves came off in the council yesterday as Africa Muslim Party councillor Badih Chabaan accused Mayor Helen Zille of spreading rumours and "vicious" lies about him. He also handed Zille a letter during the meeting which said: "Your hair looked good today, but in 80 days you will be history. Zille said later she had handed the letter to the city's legal department.
Their heated exchange erupted after Zille alluded to "a certain councillor who has been issuing death threats and engaging in other inappropriate forms of inducement" ahead of the September floor-crossing period in her opening address. She went on to "remind him and any other councillors" that offering money for a council seat was a criminal offence in terms of anti-corruption legislation. Zille urged councillors to "not let these political side-shows distract us from our responsibilities as councillors".
Chabaan, who faces a police investigation and an internal probe by the city council, raised his hand in recognition of the reference to him as Zille was speaking, but waited until question time to lash back. He started with a tirade against the DA, telling councillors in the chamber to "shut up" while he stated his position. Chabaan said he had documents proving that two DA "leaders" were offering councillors R200 000 to cross the floor.
He also mentioned the alleged inducement by DA MPL Kent Morkel to Independent Democrats councillor Achmat Williams to resign as a councillor and take a council job. "This is the hypocrisy of who's calling the pot black." Of the tape recording of him talking about his plans to usurp the mayoral position from Zille and form a new political party in September, Chabaan said the Speaker had yet to produce any evidence.
"I have still seen no proof." On the tape, Chabaan allegedly threatened violence against councillors who spoke out about his political plans. The tape forms part of the city's investigation of Chabaan's conduct.
It was handed over to the Speaker, Dirk Smit, by councillors. When pressed yesterday by acting Speaker Dan Plato to ask the mayor a question, Chabaan changed tack and accused Zille of authorising "useless" spending on bodyguards when there was no threat against her or other councillors. Zille retaliated by quoting newspaper reports about the murder of former underworld kingpin Yuri Ulianitski in which Chabaan said he would have used different methods if he had been involved.
"If that's what you could say to a newspaper, then we have to question your protestations here today," she said. In her opening speech, Zille also mentioned the recent fatal attack on two of councillor Xokani Sotashe's bodyguards. "There have been too many incidents of political intimidation in Cape Town recently.
" The proposed cancellation of Chabaan's lease with the city for portions of Greenmarket Square was discussed by council in a meeting closed to the public and media. Chabaan owes the council R3.3 million in outstanding rentals.
Chief whip Anthea Serritslev said after the meeting that the decision on whether to terminate Chabaan's lease would remain confidential. Browse by page Councillor Chabaan and Zille in face-off ahead of floor-crossing City approves plan for post-2010 Green Point Urban Park ANC conference stirred as KZN delegation denies favouring Zuma supporters TAC may ask court to halt health budget cuts THE gloves came off in the council yesterday as Africa Muslim Party councillor Badih Chabaan accused Mayor Helen Zille of spreading rumours and "vicious" lies about him.
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