Cape Town - The disciplinary hearing of DA councillor Ian Iversen, who allegedly rammed his fist into the throat of a Wynberg resident during a site visit, is under way this week.
It’s understood that Simon Mantell, the Claremont resident whose home was visited by Iversen and the Protea subcouncil in April when the incident took place, presented his evidence during the hearing on Wednesday.
The hearings are not open to the public.
Iversen allegedly smacked Darron Araujo and pushed his fist into his neck. According to reports, Araujo tried to ask Iversen about a rezoning application for a development in Wynberg that had been opposed by about 60 residents.
Councillors of the Protea subcouncil and Iversen, as subcouncil chairman, inspected Mantell’s property as the city had contended that his gabion walls were built illegally. Mantell maintained that his building work was done by the book. However, he did raise concerns about the approval that was granted by the city’s spatial planning, environment and land-use planning committee for the nearby Greenways Hotel. Despite strong objections from the residents, the owners of this property were given the rezoning green light.
Mantell reportedly invited Araujo to the inspection, as it was felt there were similar concerns about the way the applications in Claremont and Wynberg were handled by the city.
The heated exchange that erupted when Araujo started asking Iversen questions was recorded on camera by other residents. Iversen could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Cape Argus