Ndza khensa Mutshamaxitulu. [I thank you Chairperson.]
Chairperson, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has again misused her position as Minister to block service delivery in the City of Cape Town.
Last week, the Department of Human Settlements invited the mayors of the seven metros to attend a meeting in Johannesburg. The mayor of Cape Town had a long-standing commitment which she could not cancel for a meeting where she was given only three days' notice. She communicated her unavailability with the Minister's office and added that she would be sending the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, as her representative. For some unclear and unprofessional reason, Minister Sisulu refused to allow this. The mayor then wrote to the Minister, insisting that Cape Town should not be excluded. The mayor also reminded the Minister that it is within her delegated powers to send the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements as a representative.
Yesterday, Councillor Van Minnen travelled to Johannesburg and attended the meeting for about 40 minutes. Upon the Minister's arrival, she was asked to leave. [Interjections.] The Minister personally blocked her from taking part.