CoCT council speaker believes EFF's disruption of meeting was an attempt to attract media
Dambuza refused to vacate the council chambers when Purchase asked him to leave after he raised concerns about being heckled by Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors.
A screengrab of EFF councillor Mzubanzi Dambuza in the City of Cape Town council sitting on 30 July 2025. Picture: City of Cape Town/YouTube
CAPE TOWN - City of Cape Town council speaker Felicity Purchase believes the disruption by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) during a council meeting this week was staged to attract media attention.
Dambuza refused to vacate the council chambers when Purchase asked him to leave after he raised concerns about being heckled by Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors.
A video of the incident shows Dambuza being pinned down by a security officer while apparently being choked.
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Purchase said Dambuza repeatedly disrupted proceedings and did not follow her instructions to leave the council chambers.
"Several councillors were named for interjections, heckling and inappropriate conduct under the rules of order. This pattern is not new, and councillor Dambuza has previously been removed for similar conduct."
African National Congress (ANC) caucus spokesperson Judy-Ann Stevens said councillors must be able to engage robustly, yet safely, in council meetings.
"The speaker opened the door for disorder by selectively applying the rules to the one side of the chambers by naming opposition councillors, but DA councillors can do as they please."
The ANC has called for an independent and transparent inquiry, while the city has indicated the matter is being reviewed.