{"id":188296,"date":"2018-10-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/188296\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/"},"modified":"2018-10-10T15:27:37","modified_gmt":"2018-10-10T13:27:37","slug":"journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Journalist forcefully removed from council building"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A scuffle broke out at the council meeting at the Germiston Civic Centre, recently, when members of the EFF were escorted from the council chambers by the EMPD following the alleged instruction of the speaker of council, Clr Patricia Kumalo.<\/p>\n<p>During the commotion, a GCN journalist, who had been invited to attend and report on the council meeting, was manhandled by an unknown man.<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_188304\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-188304\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-188304\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-188304\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Workers tired of being contract workers are demanding permanent jobs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The unidentified man came from behind, grabbed the journalist by the shoulders and pushed her out of the building, stating she was not permitted to be on the premises.<\/p>\n<p>Before this confrontation, Sipho Watkins, EFF regional secretary in Ekurhuleni, had told the GCN members of his party were assaulted under the instruction of the ANC even before they made it into the sitting.<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_188298\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-188298\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-188298\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-188298\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Workers were encouraged by the EFF to demand to see a change in their country.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ALSO READ:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/187611\/fishers-hill-a-stop-on-solly-msimangas-listening-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\">Fishers\u2019 Hill a stop on Solly Msimanga\u2019s listening tour<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>He further claimed once inside, none of their concerns were acknowledged, including the issue of who was to address a crowd which had gathered in protest outside.<\/p>\n<p>The crowd, made up of former contract workers of the metro, had gathered outside the building in protest, demanding permanent jobs while the council meeting was in session.<\/p>\n<div class='tie-fluid-width-video-wrapper tie-ignore-fitvid' style='margin-bottom: 30px;'>\n\t\t\t<iframe style='width: 100%; min-height: 300px; aspect-ratio: 16\/9;' src='https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/SM5_MzMbPnE' loading='lazy'><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe raised the issues of being beaten in the council chambers and questioned who was to address the crowd which had gathered outside, and the EMPD were called in immediately.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA fight then ensued, with the EMPD officers sharing themselves among us,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n<p>Once they had been escorted out of the building by the EMPD, EFF leaders took turns addressing the crowd.<\/p>\n<p>Rubber bullets were allegedly fired by EMPD officers to disperse the crowd, however, witnesses claim they were directly shot at by the EMPD.<\/p>\n<p>Injured protesters were treated by the metro\u2019s emergency personnel.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_188305\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-188305\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-188305\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-188305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fana Sibeko, a PR councillor for the EFF, sustained wounds on his stomach and back from rubber bullets and fractured the ring finger on his left hand during a scuffle between the EMPD and EFF councillors at the Germsiton Civic Centre last Thursday .<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Following this alleged attack, the EFF councillors, claiming to be in solidarity with the plight of the workers, announced they would once again go back into council to uncover the truth behind vacancies within the metro.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services, Clr Ndosi Shongwe, made a commitment saying there were about 1 050 job vacancies in the Department of Waste and the Department of Water, and they were going to absorb the workers because they were employed on a temporary basis, but that has not happened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe MMC further informed us a meeting between the city manager, head of Department for Human Resources Management and the mayor would be scheduled, where they would make sure they absorb these comrades into the workplace, permanently,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/188239\/date-set-debate-motion-no-confidence-ekurhulenis-executive-mayor\/\" target=\"_blank\">Date set for debate of Motion of No Confidence in Ekurhuleni\u2019s executive mayor<\/a><\/p>\n<div class='tie-fluid-width-video-wrapper tie-ignore-fitvid' style='margin-bottom: 30px;'>\n\t\t\t<iframe style='width: 100%; min-height: 300px; aspect-ratio: 16\/9;' src='https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/bVNIBp89Xg0' loading='lazy'><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>EMPD officers continued to monitor the situation and refused to allow the protesting workers to go near the building as the EFF councillors made their way back into the sitting.<\/p>\n<p>However, their excitement of marching back into the chambers was met with hostility as EMPD officers stationed inside the building refused to grant them access into the building, and soon the EFF councillors, who pushed back against the EMPD officers, were forcefully removed from the building.<\/p>\n<p>During this scuffle, Mampuru Mampuru, chairperson of the EFF Ekurhuleni region, reacted badly to the inhalation of pepper spray, which was sprayed at the EFF members, and was taken away in an ambulance after his breathing was stabilised on the scene.<\/p>\n<div class='tie-fluid-width-video-wrapper tie-ignore-fitvid' style='margin-bottom: 30px;'>\n\t\t\t<iframe style='width: 100%; min-height: 300px; aspect-ratio: 16\/9;' src='https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/oqJrfT01eFI' loading='lazy'><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>It was during this final altercation with the EMPD the GCN journalist was manhandled and forced to leave the premises.<\/p>\n<p>The GCN requested comment from the metro regarding the council meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The comment stated the EMPD had a mandate to maintain the safety of individuals and to respond accordingly to threatening and volatile situations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe crowd involved in Thursday\u2019s march became unruly and ran the risk of damaging council property and harming officials and councillors who were attending council.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_188303\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-188303\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-188303\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-188303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mampuru Mampuru, chairperson of the EFF Ekurhuleni region, is attended to by emergency service personnel after reacting badly to the inhalation of pepper spray.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cEMPD officers took the necessary measures to disperse the crowd and restore order,\u201d said Sphelele Nxele, spokesperson from the office of the speaker.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe media are permitted in council, there were media representatives within the council chambers during the sitting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAdditionally, the speaker acknowledged the media during her greeting in council so the house was aware of media attendance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is unfortunate and concerning that a journalist was thrown out. The man described herein may not be aware of this and as such may have acted at his own discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The GCN also questioned the cause of the altercation between the EFF and the EMPD to which Nxele said, \u201cI\u2019d like to clarify, what occurred was not a fight.<\/p>\n<div class='tie-fluid-width-video-wrapper tie-ignore-fitvid' style='margin-bottom: 30px;'>\n\t\t\t<iframe style='width: 100%; min-height: 300px; aspect-ratio: 16\/9;' src='https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/ysQiFM92g50' loading='lazy'><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\u201cDuring the order of proceedings in council, there were numerous disruptions which threatened to dismantle the order of the sitting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs the presiding officer and chairperson of council, the speaker exercised her authority through the council standing orders, which permit security to enter the chamber and remove individuals causing disruption.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was done and the scuffle was as a result of resistance from those who were being removed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With regard to the EFF alleging the EMPD was acting upon the instruction of the ruling party (the ANC), the metro stated, \u201cThe allegation that the executive mayor was involved in this decision is sensationalist and has no basis, the security cluster was acting on the instruction of the speaker.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAdditionally, referring to council as the \u2018ANC\u2019 government is incorrect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCouncil is made up of different political organisations.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-188296 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_19970\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_19970.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188298'>\n\t\t\t\tWorkers were encouraged by the EFF to demand to see a change in their country.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_50559\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_50559-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_50559-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_50559-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_50559-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_50559.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188299'>\n\t\t\t\tSipho Watkins, EFF regional secretary in Ekurhuleni, address workers protesting outside the Germiston Civic Centre last Thursday.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_00657\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_00657-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_00657-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_00657-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_00657-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_00657.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188300'>\n\t\t\t\tKoketso Mojatau, deputy chairperson of the EFF in Ekurhuleni, talks permanent jobs with the crowd outside the Germiston Civic Centre last Thursday.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_97442\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_97442-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_97442-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_97442-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_97442-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_97442.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188301'>\n\t\t\t\tWorkers recently took to the Germiston Civic Centre to protest, demanding permanent jobs while the monthly council meeting was in progress.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_85020\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_85020-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_85020-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_85020-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_85020-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_85020.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188302'>\n\t\t\t\tSipho Watkins, EFF regional secretary in Ekurhuleni, was bruised by a rubber bullet fired by the EMPD.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_46354\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_46354.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188303'>\n\t\t\t\tMampuru Mampuru, chairperson of the EFF Ekurhuleni region, is attended to by emergency service personnel after reacting badly to the inhalation of pepper spray.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_62126\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62126.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188304'>\n\t\t\t\tWorkers tired of being contract workers are demanding permanent jobs.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_62897\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_62897.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188305'>\n\t\t\t\tFana Sibeko, a PR councillor for the EFF, sustained wounds on his stomach and back from rubber bullets and fractured the ring finger on his left hand during a scuffle between the EMPD and EFF councillors at the Germsiton Civic Centre last Thursday .\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/10\/journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building-2\/attachment\/40gcncouncilscuf_34158\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_34158-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-188306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_34158-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_34158-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_34158-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/10\/40GCNCOUNCILSCUF_34158.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-188306'>\n\t\t\t\tLaw enforcement officers deny workers entry into the civic centre.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-below-post-content\">\n<div class='tenancy_slot tenancy_slot_1 jannah_ad' style='display: none;' data-query-id='b89e0e4cab020f542fbd0d270bb32cfa'><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protesters and EFF councillors injured, and journalist thrown out of Germiston Civic Centre, during the recent council meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1848,"featured_media":188299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"Kgotsofalang Mashilo","cxt_disable_google_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8515,2],"tags":[21906,21916,21911,21909,4919,21913,21914,21908,988,1576,21917,21915,21912,21910,21907],"class_list":["post-188296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-municipal-news","category-news-headlines","tag-byline-kgotsofalang-mashilo","tag-chairperson-of-the-eff-ekurhuleni-region","tag-clr-ndosi-shongwe","tag-clr-patricia-kumalo","tag-council-chambers","tag-department-of-waste-and-the-department-of-water","tag-eff-councillors","tag-eff-regional-secretary-in-ekurhuleni","tag-empd","tag-germiston-civic-centre","tag-journalist-forcefully-removed-from-council-building","tag-mampuru-mampuru","tag-mmc-for-environment-and-waste-management-services","tag-rubber-bullets","tag-sipho-watkins"],"amp_enabled":true,"category_labels":{"Category":"News","SubCategory":"Municipal"},"tag_labels":["Byline: Kgotsofalang Mashilo","chairperson of the EFF Ekurhuleni region","Clr Ndosi Shongwe","Clr Patricia Kumalo","council chambers","Department of Waste and the Department of Water","EFF councillors","EFF regional secretary in Ekurhuleni","empd","Germiston Civic Centre","Journalist forcefully removed from council building","Mampuru Mampuru","MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services","Rubber bullets","Sipho Watkins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1848"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}