What happened in the City of Cape Town in the last Council was a battle between order and chaos.
Leading the chaos was the EFF who were cheered on by Good and CCC etc. They displayed their disregard for agreed upon valid Council procedure, overall dignity and mutual respect for others.
The behaviour was inexcusable and deliberate. Since the program was on YouTube, the disrupters wanted to show the world that they were inherently unruly and could easily generate chaos.
Their behaviour signalled that a democratic majority victory is irrelevant and can be overturned by “low class, unruly, thuggish” behaviour. This is vital to understand as it reflects what is happening in parts of Africa where valid leadership is overthrown by instigators of chaos. Before the chaos starts, there is usually a period where legitimate processes are undermined. Those who instigate chaos in an environment where grievance process exists cannot be dismissed as it will lead to the next phase.
Ironically, Councillors knew we had an hour on the agenda to discuss the taxi issue after the Mayoral address. This was agreed in the Whips meeting and there was no need for any chaotic behaviour.
What is evident is that the EFF and pals disregard valid processes. Also they often do not attend portfolio committee meetings where details of issues are deliberated. When they do attend they rarely contribute meaningfully, implying they have minimal understanding of governance issues.
What does this mean for our democracy? Since some enjoy orchestrating and disrupting legitimate procedures it confirms that we are becoming like parts of Africa where chaos is almost acceptable.
What is required is that those liable for the chaos must be restrained by the necessary means.
Example, some Councillors behaved like wild animals screaming and running around resisting removal from the chamber. What must Councillors do when we witness a screaming, fighting and running around the chambers? Must we allow and “okay” this unruliness by compromise or do we simply remove the chaos from our public forums and continue with legitimate governance?
When women behave wildly in a public forum and are removed to restore calm and resists by fighting and screaming “I am a woman” what must law enforcement do, when she is not ladylike?
What happens to the rights of the majority who want to continue with a meeting when a minority insists on destroying the calm and orderly interaction?
When upset, is it okay for Councillors to swear at others using the Cape vernacular “Jou Ma se Poes”.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress