Cape Town - A gigantic South African flag has now been erected on the Overbeek apartment building at the top of Long Street. This as the Speaker in the City of Cape Town said on Tuesday that he had begun an investigation into the conduct of councillors who were allegedly involved at the weekend when ANC supporters tore down a billboard bearing the slogan “Zuma Must Fall”.
“Following City of Cape Town and media reports that have come to my attention, I will today begin my investigation into the conduct of councillors who allegedly formed part of the group who illegally removed the banner that was erected on a building in the Cape Town central business district,” Dirk Smit said.
City council spokeswoman Priya Reddy said on Tuesday night that Metro Police were on the scene: “We haven’t at this stage ascertained who put up this banner.
“If it is found to be in contravention of the Outdoor Advertising and Signage by-law we will be handing it to our prosecutor.”
Read: Billboard firm defends ‘Zuma Must Fall’ sign
Meanwhile, Smit said the investigation would involve watching footage of the event, and if necessary, calling witnesses.
“I will then decide if it should be referred to a disciplinary committee.
“If it is found that the councillors were in breach of the code of conduct that councillors must adhere to, they will appear before the committee,” Smit said.
He added that if it appeared that any city councillors broke the law, charges would be pressed with the police.
As tempers flared at the weekend, ANC MP Bongani Mkongi called on Facebook for the Overbeek apartment building on which the billboard went up, to be set alight.
He has apologised and the ANC is not planning any sanction against him.
Smit recalled that the billboard was illegally put up.
The city council has given the matter over to prosecution authorities, saying the size of the structure exceeded that which was allowed for outdoor signs and the company in question – Independent Outdoor Media – had failed to seek the necessary approval from local authorities.
The ANC on Monday said those calling for Zuma’s removal from office were trying to create a “regressive, racist society”.
ANC chief whip Stone Sizani accused the DA of being complicit in the erection of the billboard.
DA racists paid for Zuma billboard: ANC
He said the billboard was “sponsored by the privileged and wealthy racists of the DA” in a bid to divert attention from the opposition party’s racism.
Cape Argus