11 hours ago
Language row erupts during Kouga council meeting
JEFFREYS BAY - The Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape is embroiled in a language controversy.
Opposition parties allege that isiXhosa-speaking councillors are being silenced for speaking their mother tongue during council meetings.
The Speaker, who reportedly does not speak isiXhosa, is accused of insisting that councillors use only English or Afrikaans, threatening action for non-compliance.
The Speaker maintains, however, that English has always been the primary language of council proceedings.
The caucus leader for the DA in the Kouga Municipality has dismissed the language bias claims.
Bornman Hattingh, who is also the mayor, says they've always used English and Afrikaans.
