An EFF councillor has laid a charge of assault and attempted murder after he was allegedly choked by a security official during a City of Cape Town council meeting on Wednesday.
Mzubanzi Dambuza said that the
Speaker Felicity Purchase asked him to leave the chamber after he raised
concerns about Democratic Alliance councillors. He said that he was accosted by
a security officer after he refused to leave.
SCREENSHOT‘’The DA’s action within the
council chambers today was just another reminder of how black people and black
lives are not respected under a Municipal Council run and dominated by the DA,
that they are willing to go to extreme lengths to even attempt to take someone’s
life,’’ said the EFF Western Cape in a statement.
‘’The incident stemmed after a
ruling was made by the Speaker to remove the EFF party leader after raising
critical issues, which exposed the inconsistencies, racist and unprocedural continuation
of the council sitting. The municipal speaker, criminally authorized the assault
of the EFF party leader including party members who questioned the illegality
conduct of security members who had unlawfully entered Council chambers acting
on an unlawful instruction’’ it added.
The EFF says this is not the
first time where the opposition party was thrown out of council.
‘’It has been a trend of the DA
to assault and abuse opposition parties and particularly the EFF all in
attempts to hide and escape accountability… There is no party or individual
(from any party) who must feel entitled to abuse their powers provided to them
by the Constitution in order to settle narrow political scores their handlers.’’
Meanwhile, the GOOD Party has called for the immediate removal of Cape Town Speaker, Felicity Purchase. GOOD councillor, Roscoe Palm, says Purchase failed to uphold council integrity and accuses her of bias and negligence.
‘’The Cape Town Speaker,
Felicity Purchase, must step aside. Her continued presence in that role has now
resulted in a grievous assault on a public representative, all because he dared
to ask a question. Her actions, inactions and biases have resulted in violence
and thuggery that have endangered lives.Today’s scenes in Council were
unfortunate, but not unexpected. Once again, the Speaker of the City of Cape
Town has failed in her duty to apply the Rules of Order fairly and
consistently. During the oral question period following the Mayor’s address, a
session clearly regulated by Rule 11.2 of the Council’s own Rules of Order, the
Speaker unlawfully allowed a Point of Order. That decision alone broke the very
rules we are all expected to uphold and set in motion the chaos that followed.’’
‘’I witnessed and recorded a
public representative being choked to the point of unconsciousness, and then
some more. This recalls the killing of George Floyd in the United States. I
immediately notified the speaker's table that a councillor was being assaulted
to the point where their lives were at risk, and I would have done the same for
any councillor of any political party. I have further given my statement to the
police as a witness to the assault. The rules are clear: no Points of Order, no
Points of Clarity, and no debate is allowed during this session. The Speaker's
decision to ignore that rule opened the door for disorder. And while opposition
councillors were shouted down or named for raising legitimate concerns, members
of the Democratic Alliance were allowed to heckle throughout the question
session without consequence,’’ added Palm.
GOOD party says it will call for
an urgent investigation into the Speaker’s handling of the session, and
disciplinary action against all councillors who disrupted proceedings,
regardless of political party.
In response to an enquiry sent
by Bush Radio News, the City of Cape Town said quote it is reviewing the
matter.
“The City is aware of recent
events during the Council meeting and notes the related footage circulating on
social media. We are reviewing the matter carefully to gain a comprehensive
understanding of the context. The City remains committed to fostering a
respectful and inclusive environment that upholds the principles of democratic
engagement.”
Speaker, Felicity Purchase,
cried foul, saying Dambuza interrupted council proceedings.
‘’During the course of today’s Council meeting, persistent interruptions, disruptions, and displays of disrespect shown by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) towards proceedings, fellow councillors, invited guests, and members of the public necessitated firm intervention. Cllr. Dambuza, the EFF Caucus Leader, was named multiple times in accordance with the Rules of Order regulating Council conduct. He was repeatedly instructed to desist from his disruptive behaviour, to resume his seat, and was given ample opportunity to comply voluntarily. Despite my instructions that he leave the chamber as per the Rules of Order, Cllr. Dambuza refused to adhere to the rulings issued by me as the presiding chairperson.
‘’As a result of Cllr.
Dambuza’s continued non-compliance, I requested the Acting City Manager at
today’s meeting, to facilitate Cllr. Dambuza’s removal from the chamber, in
accordance Rule 30.2. Following this, Cllr. Dambuza, along with members of the
EFF caucus, not only persisted in their disruptive conduct but also actively
obstructed the efforts of designated peace officers to restore order. Their
actions culminated in an attempt to prevent the enforcement of Council Rules
through physical obstruction.’’
Purchase said due to the
disruption, the Council meeting had to be moved to its Banqueting Hall.
‘’Due to the severity and
persistence of this conduct, and physical harm inflicted upon some of the
designated peace officers, I was compelled to adjourn the sitting and
temporarily reconvene the Council meeting in the Banqueting Hall. This decision
was taken to allow for the removal of all disruptive EFF councillors from both
the chamber and the broader precinct, thereby ensuring that Council could
proceed with its mandated business.’’
In June 2025, Purchase
lamented ‘’unbecoming, disruptive and unruly behaviour’’ that continues to
plague the Council chambers. The Speaker, on Wednesday, again echoed her
statement.
‘’My stance on councillors who
deliberately engage in disorder for the sake of political theatre is a matter
of public record. As Speaker, I will not permit a minority of councillors to
hold the Council and its work to ransom. Order, respect for democratic
processes, and the integrity of Council proceedings will be upheld without
exception,’’ said Speaker Felicity Purchase.
Done By: Mitchum George
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