STATEMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD SECRETARY-GENERAL AND MEMBER OF WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT
29 June 2021
On a day when the South African Constitutional Court placed the supremacy of the rule of law above the power of individuals who held or hold office, City of Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato, defied the latest Covid-19 Regulations by hosting illegal gatherings breaking the law.
Plato pushed ahead with 25 events across the City in order to hand out his so-called “Mayoral Community Service Awards”. The main event was held in the Civic Centre Banqueting Hall – with live entertainment, guests and speeches – which was broadcast to 24 venues across the city where recipients of awards and councillors gathered.
All of these gatherings were unlawful and unnecessary. Plato was engaged in reckless and irresponsible political campaigning, at the residents’ expense,
Plato should be charged and prosecuted for breaching Section 21 of the Regulations which expressly prohibit “all gatherings” including social and political gatherings. Section 31 of the Regulations provides that any person who convenes a gathering is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.
The Constitutional Court ordered the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma today for his defiance of the law. The rule of law was reasserted as the foundation upon which our democracy is built.
It is disgraceful that the Mayor of a major City acted with such defiance and disdain for the law and for the health and safety of the people he is meant to serve.
He is not fit to be Mayor and should resign.
Ends…