National Police Minister’s bully tactics could cost Cape film economy R24 million as productions cancel shoots
17 December 2020
Statement by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato
Yesterday’s bully tactics by National Police Minister, Bheki Cele, to close down a legitimate and permitted film shoot on Camps Bay Beach has resulted in the immediate cancellation of 11 additional film shoots for fear of further financial losses if shut down irregularly and without due cause by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Bheki Cele is not the National Commissioner anymore - he was fired from that position in 2012 and is now a minister, who has no authority to instruct a police officer.
We have already approached the High Court to grant an interdict preventing the SAPS from further unlawful interference in legitimate film shoots.
This matter will be heard tomorrow.
The City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government have repeatedly said that while battling the spread of the coronavirus, it is critical that we also open up our economy to retain as many jobs as possible.
This sentiment has also been echoed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
I will be writing to the President to ask if he supports his National Minister’s destructive and unlawful behaviour, and if not, what action he plans to take to address his Minister’s bully tactics.
Minister Cele’s unlawful conduct includes the issuing of instructions to operational SAPS staff, which he has no authority to do.
This matter has also been reported to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee.
Eleven productions have notified the City of Cape Town that they will be cancelling their shoots, each of which is estimated to cost a minimum of R1,2 million.
These costs do not include hotels, flights and other costs for hundreds of film crew and support staff, all of whom are adhering to the strictest COVID-19 safety protocols, as the industry slowly finds its feet again after months of lockdown.
Cape Town is a film-friendly city and we will not allow National Government’s unlawful behaviour to change this.
We have made our city an enabling environment for local and international film crews who love to visit our shores.
Cape Town has some of the best creative talent in the world, which is why we continue to be a destination of choice for international and local production companies.
I applaud Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, for standing up to Minister Cele yesterday and correcting his poor understanding of the national COVID-19 regulations.
Instead of policing beaches with heavily armed police officers and intimidating innocent sun bathers, the National Police Minister should be in our most crime affected communities, making sure that gangsters are caught and put behind bars, making our communities safer.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
