Security authorised to act: Speaker
Councillor Warwick Chapman was escorted out of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre after allegedly wagging a finger at the city's deputy mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala. Here he re-enacts his version of the finger gesture. Picture: Puri Devjee Councillor Warwick Chapman was escorted out of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre after allegedly wagging a finger at the city's deputy mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala. Here he re-enacts his version of the finger gesture. Picture: Puri Devjee
The “bodyguards” who escorted DA councillor Warwick Chapman out of a full council meeting were members of the metro police VIP protection unit and therefore had the authority to remove him.
This was according to eThekwini Speaker Logie Naidoo in response to the DA’s complaint that the party would not accept the misuse of the bodyguards to physically threaten and remove councillors from council meetings.
Chapman was escorted out by six bodyguards on Wednesday after allegedly wagging his finger at deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala and allegedly saying “bull****” when asked to apologise.
Naidoo asked Chapman to apologise to the council a number of times, but he refused, saying there was nothing to apologise for.
Naidoo then ruled that he leave the meeting, but Chapman would not leave. Naidoo then called for security and six officers escorted Chapman out in the company of his caucus leader and a few councillors.
Chapman’s behaviour was described by Naidoo as “unbecoming”. He had been warned previously about his behaviour at meetings, the Speaker said.
The DA’s caucus leader, Zwakele Mncwango, said Naidoo was lying, and the guards were private security.
“They had no right to remove Warwick. One of the security guards grabbed him and it was an assault to him. We are looking at what case we can open against this security. We are very unhappy.”
Mncwango said it was a misuse of power. The guards failed to produce proof that they worked for the council when he asked them to do so.
Naidoo said they had read in newspapers that Chapman was leaving, but that his office had not received anything in writing from Chapman or his party about this.
Mncwango confirmed on Thursday night that they had not handed anything in writing to Naidoo, but would do so before Chapman left at the end of June.