The party's spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, confirms the postponement of today's scheduled virtual meeting. 

Speelman was suspended as an ANC member and a mayor in April this year after a video surfaced on social media in which he made derogatory comments about the coloured community of Bronville in Welkom. The video was taken when he was welcoming South African National Defence Force members to assist in ensuring compliance to the coronavirus lockdown regulations at this municipality. The video caused an uproar from residents, with Speelman later apologising for his remarks.

According to the Mail & Guardian newspaper, it was alleged that he was not officially suspended. "Speelman instead applied for leave of absence from April 8 until April 30. He was also quick to appoint a councillor — Sipho David Manese — to act as the executive mayor until his 'leave' ended." There were further allegations that Speelman has also reportedly been performing his mayoral duties, meeting with religious leaders and giving out food parcels. In response to this, Meeko said “suspension means he cannot perform such duties. It’s just a rumor. No-one has shown us any evidence of that. If we can get the evidence, we would take action.”

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