Racism was firmly in the spotlight at a special Council meeting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality on Thursday.
The Council adopted a motion from ANC councillor, Fikile Desi, calling for the permanent removal of DA Councillor Chris Roberts.
Roberts was pilloried by the ruling party as well as other opposition parties for calling UDM councillor, Mongameli Bobani, a baboon.
ANC councillors, who wore black to Thursday's first Council meeting in protest against racism, called for Roberts to be permanently removed from council.
ANC councillor, Fikile Desi, proposed the motion.
"We are recommending that this must be elevated to the level of the MEC to condone the decision that councillor Roberts be removed permanently in this Council to go an learn new manners"
The motion was also supported by the Congress of the People.
Cope councillor, Mzwandile Hote.
"The Statement of "bobbejaan" is a statement I think on behalf of Cope, should be banished, although a "bobbejaan" is an animal, which is natural. The Congress of the People will support the notion that the Councillor be punished, one way ot the other" he said
Meanwhile, the DA, which has already censured Roberts pleaded for forgiveness.
Caucus leader, Retief Odendaal, extolled the virtues of ubuntu as espoused by former president Nelson Mandela.
He also reiterated his party's stance on racism after several prominent DA members were heavily censured for making statements deemed to be racist.
"What unfolded is totally unacceptable and could never ever been condoned. I have to say that on the day the even unfolded I immediately started disciplinary proceedings against the Councillor. He was fined a substantial amount of money and removed of all positions of leadership within the party" he said
Odendaal's plea for leniency for Roberts was drowned out by the majority vote on the motion.
The matter will now be referred to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Fikile Xasa, for a decision.
