STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S SPEAKER, ALDERMAN DIRK SMIT

In light of the misleading reports by members of the ANC regarding security measures installed at the Executive Mayor’s house, I would like to place the following on record:

The amount of R700 000 which the ANC is using to create sensation was made available for security measures to be implemented at the Mayor’s residence. The full amount was not utilised.

It is not true that R700 000 was used for renovations at the Mayor’s house. An amount of approximately R451 000 was paid by Council for security measures only.

The City implemented these safety measures as prescribed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) who conducted a security risk assessment at the Mayor’s residence.

Members of the ANC are misleading the media and members of the public by trying to create confusion and insinuate that the City paid for renovations. This is a lie. The City only paid for the security measures which SAPS instructed should be implemented.

The Office of the Speaker welcomes the ANC’s remarks that this matter will be reported to the Public Protector.

Statement issued by Alderman Dirk Smit, Speaker for the City of Cape Town, 5 October 2017