GOOD Statement by Chad Davids,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
22 August 2024
The GOOD party calls on the Mayor to take accountability for the unlawful disclosure of the names of dismissed City employees.
On 11 July 2024, the City released a list of 111 names of workers who had been dismissed for various transgressions.
This decision was not only a violation of the worker’s rights, but it seems that the publication of the list was not discussed with union representatives.
When GOOD challenged the Mayor on this, he stated that it was the decision of the City Manager and added the following:
“The City Manager is the accounting officer and is ultimately responsible for the conduct of staff as well as the culture of the organisation. The law does not prohibit the City Manager from sharing such information where it will further the objectives of the municipality. The information was shared internally only and was not intended for public consumption.”
This response is not justified in law and the publication of the list violated several sections of the Protection of Personal Information Act.
Moreover, the City Manager reports directly to the Mayor meaning that the Mayor is in fact accountable to this Council for the vindictive conduct of his administration.
We therefore asked that the Mayor take responsibility for the publication of the list and its potential rights infringements.
As GOOD we do not take issue with the fact these persons were dismissed but take issue with the fact that the information was unlawfully released to the public.
Media Enquiries:
Chad Davids, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 067 129 1323
Email: chadd@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za