City Speaker Felicity Purchase reviews footage of Dambuza alleged choking incident
EFF caucus leader, Mzubani Dambuza was choked by a security officer at City Chambers a week ago.
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City Speaker, Felicity Purchase, said video footage of the incident where EFF caucus leader, Mzubani Dambuza was choked by a security officer in City Chambers a week ago is being reviewed before any disciplinary action can be taken.
Last week, GOOD Party’s caucus leader in the City, Roscoe Palm, called for a full investigation into Purchase’s handling of the matter and disciplinary action to be taken against her.
A day after the incident, Dambuza told the Cape Argus that he had lost consciousness while being choked and that he had begged the officer to allow him to walk, and claimed that he could have been killed.
Dambuza opened up cases of attempted murder and assault with the police and also sought medical attention.
On Tuesday, Dambuza did not respond to queries about the latest developments of the matter.
Purchase said it would be premature to respond to an outcome now, stating that Dambuza had ignored her instructions.
“My office is currently reviewing all footage and audio of the entire matter to gain a comprehensive understanding of what exactly took place when the City’s designated peace officers tried to remove councillor Dambuza and the rest of the EFF caucus who not only continuously refused to obey instructions and peacefully leave chambers, but persisted in their disruptive conduct and also actively obstructed the efforts of the designated peace officers to restore order in chambers.
“Upon review of all available records of the incident, the matter - as it pertains to the conduct of the councillors involved - will be formally referred to the City’s Disciplinary Committee for investigation.”
Palm called on Purchase to step aside, stating she was responsible for the incident after unlawfully allowing a Point of Order during the oral question period following Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis' 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 said he refused to leave the chambers after another councillor was allowed to bring a Point of Order and was requested to leave, an instruction given by Purchase.
The Western Cape EFF said they condemned the racist and brutal attack claiming it was a trend of the DA to assault and abuse opposition parties, particularly the EFF.
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