By Natasha Joseph
Plettenberg Bay Mayor Lulama Mvimbi's bodyguards are facing allegations of hitting and harassing a community leader - on the mayor's orders.
This emerged as the DA revealed that the Bitou council had allocated R1,2-million to hire personal bodyguards for Mvimbi and some councillors.
A council spokesperson confirmed the allocation, saying it had been granted to "protect the lives of councillors".
Community leader Zamile Xipula said he was denied access to an ANC meeting at a Kwanokuthula community hall on February 17 by Mvimbi and his bodyguards.
The bodyguards had hit him and pulled his clothes.
"The mayor stopped me (from entering)... saying I wasn't an ANC member," Xipula said.
He alleged that Mvimbi and his bodyguards had been involved in altercations with community members on a number of other occasions.
Xipula's accusations were echoed by DA MP Alan Winde, who described the bodyguards as "(Mvimbi's) personal army".
Winde said Mvimbi and at least two other ANC councillors had been granted a "R1,2-million top-up in December for VIP protection services".
Bitou Municipality spokesperson Kenny Leluma confirmed the council had approved the R1,2-million allocation for bodyguards until June.
Asked if Mvimbi and councillors had been threatened or physically harmed, Leluma said Mvimbi had been "hit with a stone on the head and he had to be stitched" following an attack on him apparently by angry residents.
And the Cape Times reported in October that a blue-chip private protection company, Dynamic Alternative Solutions, had been hired to guard Mvimbi, councillor Mirriam Sishuba, whose house was gutted by three petrol bombs, Deputy Mayor Monica Siyese and councillor Doris Xego.
They alleged they had also received death threats.
Responding to allegations that Mvimbi's bodyguards had been involved in assaults on members of the community, Leluma said the municipality was "not aware of such allegations".
"If that is so, the alleged victims should know what their rights are. Alternatively the DA can help them (invoke) their rights," said Leluma.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed that Xipula had lodged a complaint of assault against men identified as Mvimbi's bodyguards.