Local Government, Environ-mental Affairs and Development Planning
According to media reports dated 26 January 2021, the City of Cape Town has blocked residents of this city from logging service-delivery complaints and from emailing officials and councillors.
(1) Why has residents of the City of Cape Town been denied access to officials, services and enquiries;
(2) whether it is lawful for government officials and elected public representatives to deny residents and voters email access to their local governments; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what has happened to the following service requests: (a) 9109970321, (b) 9109988521, (c) 9109988362 and (d) 9109988163?
This question relates to the affairs of the City of Cape Town. The City of Cape Town maintains that parliamentary questions are intended to hold the executive accountable for their official decisions and actions and cannot be used to hold local government accountable for its decisions and actions.
The City of Cape Town further maintains that the Executive Mayor and City Manager are accountable to the City Council for the exercise of their duties, not to the Provincial Parliament.
There is no statutory provision that requires the City of Cape Town to provide information relating to or answers to parliamentary questions. Given the position taken by the City of Cape Town, the above question cannot be replied to at this stage.
A legal opinion has been sought on the position taken by the City of Cape Town.
