GOOD Press Statement by Jonathan Cupido
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
26 October 2023
As expected, today’s City for Cape Town Council meeting, held virtually, failed to uphold the standards of transparent and democratic processes, as would be the case with public and physical sittings.
The meeting saw numerous technical and network failures, while opposition concerns were easily dismissed or left ignored in the instant message box where the objections were conveniently hidden from the public eye.
Earlier this week, GOOD had requested the meeting return to Chambers, but this was denied.
GOOD maintains that the decision by DA-Speaker Felicity Purchase to convert the sitting into a virtual one was simply an attempt to bully and silence the opposition, while only a handful of people participate in what has essentially become a rubberstamping session.
Council meetings cannot be moved online, without a rational and valid reason. As we have stated before, a fear of disruption, or protest, from opposition parties does not qualify as a justifiable reason.
The DA has no problem with disruptive and unruly behaviour if it’s their own members standing up for or against an issue. Yet, in this case, the Speaker has suggested that meetings will remain online until councillors act in a manner that is acceptable – for the DA.
Moreover, today’s events once again proved that the DA-led majority does not take the meetings seriously, nor are they actually even present despite being logged on during virtual meetings.
One instance saw Alderman JP Smith taking an “urgent call”, leaving the meeting in silence with no response to a question directed at him. This is simply disrespectful and unacceptable.
As GOOD we will not remain silent or accept this abuse of power.
We call for all meetings going forward to be full in-person sittings. If the Speaker does not believe she can handle this, the seat must be vacated.
Media Enquiries:
Jonathan Cupido, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 084 865 8122
Email: jonathanc@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za