Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
During January 2020, the City of Cape Town’s Council dealt with the Immovable Property Adjudication Committee item IPAC 18/11/2020 regarding the proposed transfer by way of long-term lease of a portion of remainder erf 99939, Cape Town, known as the Cape Town market (Cape Town Market (Pty) Ltd). In terms of paragraph 5.3.5: Black economic empowerment:
(a) How has the operators of the Buitemark been accommodated inside the Epping precinct, (b) what action will be taken to move the operators from the road reserve and (c) who are the recipients of the 50,1% shareholding as recorded in the report?
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.
