The eThekwini Municipality has defended its decision to spend R60,000 to send nine councillors to the annual reed dance at the weekend, arguing that they were there to "look after our children". Thousands of young girls attended the ceremony at the eNyokeni Royal Palace at Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, where the "maidens" declared their virginity to King Goodwill Zwelithini.But it emerged yesterday - two days after the event - that the Durban municipality had spent R60,000 on travel and accommodation for the nine councillors.DA caucus leader Zwakele Mncwango questioned why ratepayers had to foot the bill for the expenditure at a meeting of the council's executive committee."We have to question how this city and its ratepayers benefit from this," he said. "This is a private trip. This is wasted expenditure."His comments brought criticism from the ANC benches, with councillor Nondumiso Cele telling Mncwango that he "needs to change".Her colleague, Nigel Gumede, said Mncwango needed to be brought into the light as he was "still in the darkness".At the end of July, when Mncwango questioned spending on the annual ritual, he argued that the municipality's outlay of R3.2-million on a three-day "maidens' conference" was unnecessary, he was told by IFP councillors that he was "too white" and "acting like a born-again Christian".In an attempt to ease tensions, mayor James Nxumalo suggested that in future councillors travel should be included when the city's budget for the dance was put together. This was important, the mayor said, because the councillors would be at the event to ensure the girls' safety.About 3,500 girls travelled to Nongoma this year."It is our responsibility to take care of our children. We are sending our children there and this is an important event for us in KwaZulu-Natal," he said.Meanwhile, the IFP yesterday lashed out at media reports that President Jacob Zuma had to be shielded by his bodyguards and whisked away from an emotional crowd. A local daily newspaper reported on Monday that "evil spirits" had possessed some of the maidens, resulting in chaos.Senior IFP official Blessed Gwala said Zuma was not removed for his safety."This is not true, because when the king had stopped speaking, President Zuma went out to wash his hands and then immediately returned. There was some chaos when it was not clear whether there was a snake or a frog that appeared where the maidens were," he said...