EFF hijacks Gillooly’s Park for Registration Bash

by Cllr Tiaan Kotzé — DA Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management

Date: 09 December 2023

Release: Immediate

Please find attached a soundbite by Cllr Tiaan Kotzé.

The Democratic Alliance in the City of Ekurhuleni strongly condemns the EFF’s disregard for due process and procedures during their “Voter Registration Bash” held at Gillooly’s Park in Bedfordview, today.

The style of dictatorial governance that the EFF publicly displays ignores due process and is the hallmark of what the wider country can expect from the EFF in government.

All events on City-owned properties have to follow specific guidelines in order to keep the attendees, the surrounding residents, as well as the city safe and compliant. This is where the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010 (SASREA) plays a vital part. The organisers of the EFF’s Registration Bash allegedly did not receive a compliance permit. There was also allegedly no acoustic testing done.

These procedures and permits are also necessary to ensure the adequate deployment of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and emergency standby teams.

DA Ward Councillor Jill Humphrey’s has been relentless in her oversight of the necessary departments to make sure this event, where an attendance of 6000 people is expected, is in compliance with all legislation.

The DA has also written to the SASREA committee and to Dr Imogen Mashazi, the City Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni.

There are widespread reports of large quantities of alcohol being made available, which will make crowd control problematic as the day progresses, as the necessary crowd control is not in place.

The DA thanks and supports the local law enforcement teams, EMPD, SAPS, Public Order Police (POPs), and Bedfordview CPF who are still on duty and working under these horrendous circumstances to ensure the safety of residents.

The DA encourages voter registrations, especially for the youth, but this must be done without a clear disregard for the law. Voter registration should be done in a safe and responsible manner.

The DA will make sure the full extent of the abuse of power by the EFF MMCs in the City is investigated as the Environmental Resource and Waste Management Department falls under the EFF’s MMC Leshaka Manamela, who is also the EFF’s regional Chairperson.

We will not allow residents to live in fear, where there is a general disregard for the law by the EFF.

Media Enquiries

Cllr Tiaan Kotzé

DA Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management

079 893 8404