The chairperson of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association, Sadick Soeker, says the City of Cape Town “is giving them a hard time” after they organised a march on private property.
The City sent the CTMCA and the venue owners a warning letter following an unsanctioned minstrel event on New Year’s Day, warning that another event planned for 11 January will be cancelled.
Both events were advertised as a “cultural performances”.
Soeker says: “We hired a private venue as per the ruling granted by the Western Cape High Court after our last case with the City.”
Last month, the CTMCA’s umbrella body, the Peninsula and District Carnival Association (PDCA), lost a court case after it applied to have the City’s decision to refuse them permits to stage their events at stadiums overturned.
CRITERIA: JP Smith of the City of Cape Town. Picture: Supplied.
But the City’s JP Smith says the PDCA did not meet their criteria.
Sadick says the New Year’s Day event was successful and they booked Moerat’s Events in Schaapkraal for 11 January again but learnt the venue was told to cancel.
“This venue isn’t even City-owned. We are not a threat to the City, we just want to exercise our constitutional right to practice our culture,” he says.
The CTMCA took part in the Cape Town Street Parade, run by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, last week.
“What I found very strange is that they made us part of their road march, now they are threatening Moerat Events for accommodating us,” says Soeker.
COMPLIANCE: Richard Bosman, the Executive Director for Safety and Security. Picture: Bruce Sutherland/City of Cape Town.
The Executive Director for Safety and Security, Richard Bosman, says: “It should be noted that all events, whether held in City facilities or privately owned property, need to comply with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act and the City Events By-law which require organisers to apply for an event permit and SAPS risk grading.
“With this particular event, the City received a complaint. When the matter was investigated, it was discovered the organiser had not applied for an event permit.
“The venue owner was also advised to comply with both the City and SAPS procedures in order for the event to be approved.”
NO GO: Klopse event was cancelled by the city. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA.
Moerat’s owner Areef Moerat says: “The event on 1 January was beautiful and calm. Everything was kwaai and we received compliments; we are happy our side.
“Unfortunately we had to cancel the one on the 11th after we received a letter from the City.”