During a council meeting in Cape Town, a group of councillors from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party staged a silent protest, leading to a temporary adjournment.
According to Cape Argus, the EFF councillors silently displayed banners related to the recent taxi strike from the beginning of the meeting. The banners accused JP Smith, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, of killing the black economy and having blood on his hands.
In response to the disruption, Council Speaker Felicity Purchase warned the protesters against breaking the rules by displaying posters. However, the EFF councillors refused to comply, prompting Purchase to take stronger action. She named the entire EFF party for repeatedly defying the rules and demanded their departure from the meeting. Furthermore, Purchase announced that the EFF would not be granted speaking time during the session.
The Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, temporarily stepped away from the podium during the protest but expressed his acceptance of silent protests. He subtly hinted that certain statements on the banners might require further scrutiny. As he continued speaking, EFF councillors wearing their signature red overalls began approaching the stage and encircling the podium, leading the Speaker to adjourn the meeting temporarily around 10:15 am.
Although the adjournment was initially set to last for 10 minutes, the disruption extended for over an hour, and as of 11:26 am, the situation had not yet been resolved. The unfortunate turn of events stalled the anticipated announcement of this year’s Civic Honours recipients, which recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society in various fields.
The distinguished recipients this year included former Constitutional Court Justice, Albie Sachs; playwright Athol Fugard; Archbishop of Cape Town, Dr Thabo Makgoba; poet and former political prisoner Breyten Breytenbach; ex-South African soccer star and current national team coach Desiree Ellis; and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of Gift of the Givers, a prominent humanitarian organization.
Despite the disruptions and delays caused by the EFF protest, the council meeting served as a platform for dialogue and debate, revealing the tensions and concerns that persist in Cape Town’s political landscape. While the protest highlighted issues surrounding the taxi strike, it also emphasized the need for authorities to address pressing challenges faced by the local population. Through events like these, democracy continues to evolve and adapt, paving the way for a more inclusive and just society.
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