Date: 24 October 2025
To:
The Mayor &
The Speaker
Ndlambe Municipality
And
The Chief Executive Officer
Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC)
Subject: Formal Complaint and Demand for Investigation – Breakdown of Order and Procedural Integrity at Public Participation Meeting, Titi Jonas Hall
Dear CEO and Mayor,
The Port Alfred Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (PARRA) hereby lodge a formal complaint regarding the grossly mismanaged and disorderly public participation meeting held at the Titi Jonas Hall, Nemato, on the evening of 23 October 2025.
What was intended to be a lawful, inclusive, and transparent public participation process degenerated into a racially divisive and hostile gathering that has brought both the Ndlambe Municipality and the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) into disrepute.
The following serious matters require your immediate attention and response:
1. Delayed and Biased Commencement
The meeting commenced approximately 25 minutes late, despite the Chairperson being present. The delay was attributed to his decision to “wait for people” to arrive — language that is inappropriate, discriminatory, and unbecoming of a public official presiding over a statutory process.
Residents and stakeholders who arrived on time were respectful of the scheduled starting time; the same cannot be said of the Chairperson. This conduct demonstrates bias and disregard for due process.
2. Racist and Aggressive Behaviour by Councillors
A Councillor engaged in overtly racist and aggressive behaviour toward members of the public. One Councillor had to be physically restrained following threatening conduct.
Such behaviour represents a complete collapse of decorum and respect for the community and raises the question: Does this reflect the conduct expected of a public representative under the Councillors’ Code of Conduct? This behaviour appears to violate the duty to act in good faith, honestly, and transparently, and contravenes the requirement that councillors must not compromise the credibility and integrity of the municipality.
The fact that the meeting “degenerated into racist and uncontrolled behaviour” demonstrates a failure to maintain an orderly and respectful environment for public participation. The Chairperson made no attempt to manage or curb this behaviour.
In terms of the Municipal Systems Act, Schedule 1 (Code of Conduct for Councillors), a chairperson is required to order the removal of any councillor engaging in unruly, threatening, or disorderly behaviour. This duty was neglected entirely.
3. Refusal to Recognise PARRA’s Legal Representative
Without warning or justification, the Chairperson refused to acknowledge or accept documents from PARRA’s legal representative, despite having accepted such submissions at three previous meetings.
This arbitrary and inconsistent action raises serious concerns about procedural fairness, impartiality, and possible bias.
The Chairperson also failed to intervene while the legal representative attempted no fewer than eight times to present PARRA’s viewpoint. Such conduct demonstrates a deliberate effort to suppress lawful representation and participation.
4. Suppression of Public Participation
The hostile atmosphere, racial rhetoric, and administrative disorder created by certain officials intimidated attendees and silenced meaningful engagement. As a result, the meeting failed to meet the constitutional and legislative standards of a legitimate public participation process. Due to this, many of those present felt intimidated and left the meeting, as they saw no positive participation happening.
5. Withholding of Research Data
Research data forming the basis of the Committee’s recommendations — pivotal to stakeholder decision-making — was not made available to the public despite repeated requests.
The information shared by a committee member was superficial and lacked any credible research depth. Furthermore, it was stated that only three name options were under consideration, which displays clear bias against the overwhelming majority of attendees, who expressed opposition to the proposed name change.
PARRA’s Position
PARRA regards the events of 23 October 2025 as a serious affront to democratic process, procedural fairness, and community dignity. The conduct of certain municipal representatives and the Chairperson cannot go unaddressed.
PARRA Therefore Formally Demands That:
- A full, independent investigation be conducted into the conduct of the meeting, specifically the behaviour of the Chairperson and identified Councillors. (Note: Video footage of the meeting exists and should be provided upon request.)
- Appropriate disciplinary and corrective action be taken against those responsible for misconduct, racism, and procedural irregularities.
- A formal, written apology be issued to the residents of Port Alfred and to PARRA for the grossly unacceptable management of this meeting.
- Any future public participation meetings on this matter be held in a neutral, controlled venue under the supervision of an independent, qualified facilitator, to ensure safety, fairness, and lawful participation by all stakeholders.
Right to Escalate
Should no satisfactory action be taken, PARRA will have no choice but to escalate this matter to:
- The Provincial MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
- The Public Protector, and
- Pursue legal remedies to protect the rights of residents and uphold the principles of transparent governance.
We trust that your offices will act with urgency and integrity to address these serious violations.
Yours faithfully,
Ren Mouton
Chairperson
Port Alfred Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (PARRA)
CC:
- Mayor, Ndlambe Municipality
- Municipal Manager, Ndlambe Municipality
- MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Eastern Cape
- MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Eastern Cape
- Public Protector of South Africa
- PARRA Legal Representative
- Local Media