Motion of no Confidence rejected: Commitment to order, discipline and service delivery reaffirmed

21 August 2025

 MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER, FELICITY PURCHASE

Today, Council debated and decisively rejected the Motion of No Confidence brought against me by the GOOD Party. I welcome this outcome and extend my appreciation to the majority of councillors who affirmed their confidence in my leadership and commitment to the Rules of Council.

The allegations contained in the motion were baseless, politically motivated, and served only to distract Council from its core mandate of governance and service delivery.

Order and discipline in this chamber are the collective responsibility of all councillors. The recent disorder we have witnessed has not been the result of my rulings, but of certain councillors’ deliberate refusal to comply with the Rules of Order. My duty as Speaker is to apply those rules firmly, fairly, and consistently – without fear or favour – and I will continue to do so.
I categorically reject claims made by the motion and reaffirm that I endeavour to ensure that every ruling I make is grounded in the Rules of Order, the Structures Act, and long-established Council precedent.

On the matter of councillor removals, I reiterate that the safety of councillors and the uninterrupted continuation of Council business will always take priority. To suggest otherwise, or to attribute disorder to the enforcement of the rules, is misleading and disingenuous.

This motion failed because it lacked substance and was driven by narrow political interests rather than facts. Council has reaffirmed its confidence in me, and I remain steadfast in my duty to ensure that this chamber conducts its business with order, dignity, and respect.

The residents of Cape Town expect their Council to prioritise governance and service delivery. That is where my focus will remain – not on repeated attempts to destabilise the work of this Council.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office