Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato is facing calls to resign, after he allegedly violated Level 4 restrictions by hosting political gatherings around the City.
According to Brett Herron, Secretary-General of the GOOD party, Plato hosted unlawful gathering in the Civic Centre, plus 24 community halls around the City, for the purposes handing out “Mayoral Community Service Awards”.
Herron said the main event in the Civic Centre Banqueting hall was accompanied by live entertainment and broadcast to 24 venues across the city where recipients of awards were meant to gather.
“Plato should be charged and prosecuted for breaching Section 21 of the Regulations which expressly prohibit “all gatherings” including social and political gatherings. Section 31 of the Regulations provides that any person who convenes a gathering is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months,” Herron said in a statement.
There’s no limit to @Our_DA selective approach to rules. Today @CityofCT Mayor Dan Plato hosted unlawful gathering in the Civic Centre, plus 24 community halls around the City, so he could hand out “Mayoral Community Service Awards”. The DA election plan in full swing. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/5IyHVisx4b
— Brett Herron 🇿🇦 (@brettherron) June 29, 2021
So @Phranki – not sure if she’s a @CityofCT spokesperson or what 🤷♂️ – claims the Mayoral Community Service Awards events (gatherings) were cancelled but I’m still getting photos of events that went ahead: Atlantis, Marmre, Bonteheuwel, City Bowl (Hout Bay): pic.twitter.com/V0xWJ4jZ2D
— Brett Herron 🇿🇦 (@brettherron) June 29, 2021
Dan Plato’s office has since denied any wrongdoing, stating that the award ceremonies operated on a ‘collection only’ basis.
According to a spokesperson for the Cape Town Mayor, all necessary precautions were taken.