Civil society formations within eThekwini municipality in KwaZulu-Natal are on Wednesday expected to protest outside the Durban International Convention Centre over a proposal which will see the public and the media barred from attending city council meetings in future.

In a statement issued by the Right to Know campaign, the organisations state that they view this proposal as unconstitutional, as it removes transparency with regards to certain decisions and activities of the eThekwini municipality and promotes a culture of secrecy.

The groups are demanding that the council and the executive committee  immediately withdraw the proposed amendments, especially relating to clause 7 of the Rules of Order, and make a public declaration that they are committed to openness and transparency in all council business.

They say the clause places an obligation on council and its committees to be open to the public, including the media, while Subsection 1 expressly prohibits the exclusion of the public, including the media from a municipal meeting except under specific circumstances. 

“If amended, this will, in effect, mean that important decisions such as the awarding of tenders, or reports of investigations into misconduct and corruption, will be hidden from the public. It will open a way to local government capture under our very own eyes,“ said the civil society groups.

The organizations also extended an invitation to all citizens of eThekwini Metro, civil society formations and members of the media to join and voice their opposition to the council’s proposal.