Cameron Dugmore leads ANC and allies to shut down public participation for Provincial Powers Bill

The penultimate public hearing on the DA’s Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill was disrupted as political parties and civil groups were barred due to capacity issues, leading to around 300 people waiting outside.

This being part of a concerted strategy by the national regime to prevent the progress of the bill, enunciated in a joint press release by ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO:

“We maintain that the Bill is a farce and the public hearings a ruse. The DA is forcing public hearings despite three legal opinions from advocates appointed by the DA in the Legislature”

“As the alliance, if this Bill is not legally stopped, we will once again be called upon to render the DA Capexit nexus in the Western Cape ungovernable to prevent the reincarnation of the modern-day apartheid system.”

Angry members of various left-wing parties, bussed in from outside the area, attempted to gain entry and disrupt proceedings in the chamber, breaking the main steel door. Outside, various groups, including EFF members, lobby groups, pro-Palestine supporters, and ANC members protested.

However, there was no violence against any people present. The protests were dominated by anti-Israeli slogans, and a few pro-Cape independence members exchanging banter with ANC supporters in front of the building.

Inside, the ANC objected to the hearings proceeding without public access, advocating for community-based venues instead. The DA faced criticism for allegedly underestimating public interest, and a face-off ensued between activists and the DA.

The DA continued advancing the bill despite legal concerns that they had no legal basis for the devolution of powers they sought – the Western Cape People’s Bill, tabled by the VF+, which would give the Provincial Powers Bill the legal basis for acting (on the basis of a claim to collective autonomy under ratified international treaties), has been shunned by the DA, who prefers to enact more toothless and symbolic legislation.

Instead of using law enforcement to remove troublemakers and allow the meeting to proceed, the DA chose to simply cancel the event, in accordance with the ANC’s plans.

The last scheduled hearing in Beaufort West was postponed for safety reasons, and the chairperson of the ad-hoc committee announced plans for another hearing in the metro.

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