'IT’S NO CHOKE'

EFF caucus leader in the City of Cape Town, Mzubani Dambuza, said he lodged a complaint of assault with police on Wednesday night, after he was attacked and choked by security personnel inside the City Council Chambers.  

Calls have since gone out for Cape Town Speaker, Felicity Purchase, to step aside, with the GOOD Party saying she was responsible for the incident after unlawfully allowing a Point of Order during the oral question period following Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis's address, which set in motion the chaos that followed.

The confrontation was caught on film and shared widely on social media, showing Dambuza attacked and choked by security personnel, allegedly to the point of unconsciousness, during the Council sitting.

Dambuza said he was doing fine after the assault and added: “As much as we don’t agree with SAPS, we believe this is an attempted murder case.” 

In the video, other councillors are heard saying “this is racism taking place”, “get off him”, and “why are you choking him? Stop choking him”.

It’s alleged security got involved when Dambuza’s party members tried to shield him from them.

Hill-Lewis was also apparently asked during the incident to bring his security to order.

The GOOD Party’s Roscoe Palm, who likened it to the killing of George Floyd in the US, said Purchase failed in her duty to apply the Rules of Order fairly and consistently. 

“The Cape Town Speaker, Felicity Purchase, must step aside,” he said.  

“Her actions, inactions and biases have resulted in violence and thuggery that have endangered lives.

“[The scenes] 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.

“What happened in Council today must be addressed. GOOD will be calling 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.”

The City said on Wednesday that they “are reviewing the matter carefully to gain a comprehensive understanding of the context”.

Purchase said Dambuza was repeatedly instructed to desist from disruptive behaviour, to resume his seat, and was given an opportunity to comply voluntarily.