Mayor's case postponed

A CASE involving Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and a resident of Edgemead has been postponed to September by the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court.

The matter relates to an application for a protection order lodged by the resident, who accused the mayor of harassment and abuse of power in connection with an alleged land use violation.

The resident is allegedly running an illegal chop shop in a residential area, which sparked a complaint.

The mayor was legally represented in court and did not attend the proceedings in person.

The matter was postponed to allow the presiding magistrate further time to consider submissions made and for Hill-Lewis to engage in the process through legal counsel

City of Cape Town spokesperson Lyndon Khan said the protection order application was a meritless attempt to deflect from accountability.

“This is a further opportunity to show how the court’s time is being wasted by this meritless request for a protection order as a means to evade accountability. This follows the mayor’s addressing and reporting of illegal business activities, as any councillor is expected to do,” said Khan.

“We all have the responsibility to uphold the law in our city, and no person is too important to report by-law infringements and land use violations impacting a community, or even to pick up a piece of litter.”

Khan previously said the land use matter concerns a complaint raised about a property in Edgemead.

“The mayor reported a land use violation, as any resident is welcome and encouraged to do. The land use violation enforcement process will continue,” he said, adding that the official referenced in the complaint is a land use inspector.

Police have confirmed that a criminal complaint was also lodged.

Spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said: “Bothasig SAPS registered an intimidation case for further investigation, following an altercation on 29 March 2025 between the complainant and a suspect whom he allegedly addressed in an intimidating and threatening manner near his home in Edgemead.”

He said the case docket would be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision upon completion of the investigation.

The matter is expected to return to court on September 25 for further proceedings.