The Western Cape High Court has granted the City of Cape Town a final interdict preventing the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) and the Cape Cultural Carnival and Events Committee (CCCEC) from hosting events at any City-owned facility without first complying with applicable regulations and the law.
The order handed down by the court on Wednesday stated that the two organisations will pay the City’s court costs.
The City approached the court in February after the association and its troupes forced their way into the Belhar sports ground in January without approval.
The City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said a week after this incident, the CTMCA again attempted to invade a facility in Johnston Road, Rylands.
“The City was forced to take these steps because the association has on several occasions shown complete disregard for the national safety at Sports and Recreation Events Act, as well as the City’s regulations for events,” said Smith.
“These illegal acts by the association and its leaders have at times been a blemish to events that are important and culturally significant to the troupes, their families, communities and to the history of Cape Town.
“They have also placed at risk the lives of the troupes involved in these illegal gatherings as well as the spectators,” he added.
Smith said despite the City’s efforts to assist, it is unfortunate that the CTMCA and the CCCEC refused to comply with regulations even though other minstrel organisations have complied with the requirements of the law.