WATCH: Chaos erupts in City Council as EFF leader assaulted

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

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 last night said he was doing fine after the assault. 

"As much as we don't agree with SAPS, we believe this is an attempted murder case," he said. 

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."

The chaos allegedly started when Purchase ordered Dambuza to leave the house.

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. 

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

“Today’s 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,” he said.

The DA Western Cape declined to comment stating it was a matter for the City to respond.

The City Wednesday said: "The City is aware of recent events during the Council meeting and notes the related footage circulating on social media. We 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.

She said despite her instructions that he leave the Chamber, he refused.

"Due to the severity and persistence of this conduct, and physical harm inflicted upon some of the designated peace officers, I was compelled to adjourn the sitting and temporarily reconvene the Council meeting in the Banqueting Hall. This decision was taken to allow for the removal of all disruptive EFF councillors from both the chamber and the broader precinct, thereby ensuring that Council could proceed with its mandated business.

"My stance on councillors who deliberately engage in disorder for the sake of political theatre is a matter of public record. As Speaker, I will not permit a minority of councillors to hold the Council and its work to ransom.

"Order, respect for democratic processes, and the integrity of Council proceedings will be  upheld without exception," she said. 

ANC caucus Leader in the Western Cape, Ndithini Tyhido,  said in response to the incident: “The ANC caucus in the City of Cape Town strongly condemns the violent treatment of the EFF councillors by an identified group of armed men organised by the reckless speaker Felicity Purchase, the ANC recommits itself to the full application of council rules.”

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