Cape’s logo a ‘Jewish or Zionist symbol’

Published Jul 4, 2014

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Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s new logo is a “camouflaged Jewish or Zionist flag” and “one of the biggest scandals ever for the city”, it has been claimed.

National Party councillor Achmat Williams wrote to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Thursday, reporting that “as a result of further investigation on the matter, revealed that the logo in essence, although very well camouflaged in the design, is nothing else but a Jewish or Zionist flag which has been accepted by the City of Cape Town”.

“This surely appears to be one of the biggest scandals ever that the city and its decision makers and officials are confronted with, as it now turns out the city in fact has accepted and adopted a new logo which represents a Jewish flag in contrast to the old mountain logo, which not only is a beacon, but is also one of the world’s seven wonders,” Williams wrote.

“A copy of the new city logo, which clearly shows the Jewish and/or Zionist flag, is herewith attached for your further attention. Your urgent attention into this matter is appreciated.”

Williams is himself being investigated by the City of Cape Town’s Speaker, Dirk Smit. Williams was given a suspended sentence for fraud on June 12, in a plea bargain.

The case involved property transactions dating to the turn of the century and Williams, represented by his lawyer, advocate Hennie le Roux, signed acceptance of his sentence in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bellville.

Williams was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years on condition that he was “not convicted of fraud or theft or any other offence involving an element of dishonesty”.

Smit’s office is now investigating Williams’s criminal conviction “very seriously”.

“The code of conduct for councillors is separate from the court’s finding and its ruling. The city follows its own procedures in accordance with the Municipal Systems Act.

“The matter is currently being considered in terms of the code of conduct for councillors. The Speaker will consider all relevant facts and circumstances before making a ruling,” Smit’s office said.

In response to the allegations about the city’s logo, Zara Nicholson, spokeswoman for mayor Patricia de Lille, said on Thursday: “Mr Williams’s bizarre, offensive and mad allegations are clearly a desperate attempt by him to try and distract from the fact that he was recently sentenced to seven years in jail for fraud, suspended for five years, and that he is currently the subject of a council investigation for his misconduct.

“Mr Williams has zero credibility and his ridiculous allegations are rejected with the absolute contempt they deserve.”

Cape Argus

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