Violence Erupts During Cape Town Council Meeting, SA Split As EFF Member Choked and Left Unconscious
- The GOOD Party is blaming Cape Town Speaker Felicity Purchase for a violent incident in the council chambers
- An Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor was left unconscious after security attempted to remove him
- The incident sparked mixed reactions on social media as citizens debated what unfolded during a council meeting
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WESTERN CAPE – Chaos broke out during a City of Cape Town council meeting as one councillor was left unconscious after he was choked by a member of the council security.
The violence broke out in the council chambers on 30 July 2025, following an address by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The incident has sparked backlash and led to calls for the immediate resignation of Cape Town Speaker Felicity Purchase.
What led to the violent altercation?
Following the mayor’s address, a question session was held, but proceedings were disrupted when the speaker asked Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Mzubanzi Dambuza, to leave. Purchase claimed that Dambuza was being disruptive and called upon the acting City Manager to facilitate his removal.
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Video footage captured what happened next, showing a defenceless Dambuza lying on the floor with a few men over him. A voice of another council member can be heard screaming, “Why are you choking him?”
Dambuza claimed that he lost consciousness during the attack.
"One of the officers started choking me from behind because I was under the table holding onto one of the poles, and then he started pulling me and choking me."
He added that he has since laid a criminal complaint, and police were investigating the matter. You can watch the video here.
Why are there calls for Purchase to resign?
Following the violent incident, the GOOD Party called for the immediate resignation of Cape Town Speaker Felicity Purchase, accusing her of being biased. The party’s Roscoe Palm said that the speaker’s continued presence in that role resulted in a grievous assault on a public representative.
“Her actions, inactions and biases have resulted in violence and thuggery that have endangered lives," Palm said.
Palm also accused the Speaker of bias, claiming that she not only breached the rules of Parliament that she was expected to uphold, but also allowed members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) to heckle during the session without repercussions, but punished the EFF councillor.
"This double standard is dangerous for our democracy. Council cannot function when the Speaker herself undermines the rules. We cannot expect order and respect when the person tasked with ensuring it is the first to violate the rules," Palm added.
Source: Twitter
Purchase defended her actions, saying that the EFF councillor had been repeatedly reprimanded for his disruptive behaviour.
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"My stance on councillors who deliberately engage in disorder for the sake of political theatre is a matter of public record. As Speaker, I will not permit a minority of councillors to hold the Council and its work to ransom," she said.
Chaotic council meetings are not new in South African politics. In November 2024, a Tshwane City Council meeting descended into chaos as security forcibly ejected DA councillors from the sitting.
In May 2025, a Parliamentary sitting desecended into chaos when members had to be removed.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were left divided by the scenes, with some encouraging him to take action against the city, while others questioned why he didn’t leave when asked the first time.
Themba Kiro Kostile said:
“Being stubborn serves no purpose. Don't be disruptive. Obey the rules and you won't be choked again.”
Kwanele Magwa Meke stated:
“We have an undertaker in Parliament disguised as a security guard 😭.”
Reginald Reines added:
“So, next time they tell you to leave the chamber, comply, and you won’t have problems.”
Nonjabulo Ladyfair said:
“I saw that assault video. I was shocked.”
Theo Harding suggested:
“Sue the city.”
Bonga Zamisa added:
“I saw the video and it's bad.”
Vuyiswa Mamnguni Ndzakana said:
“It’s uncalled for.”
Municipality lays charges against EFF members
In a related article, the uMhlathuze Municipality is laying criminal charges against members of the EFF.
Briefly News reported that EFF members descended on the municipality and destroyed the glass security door.
Members were also accused of assaulting security guards at the municipality in January 2024.
Source: Briefly News
