Cape Town’s new by-law ‘like PW Botha’s emergency legislation’

According to a press release, the GOOD political party is standing ready to oppose Cape Town’s new by-law introduced a ‘Anti-Palestine’ by-law.

The Cape Town by-law reportedly prohibits public displays of the Palestinian flag, which some residents have hoisted up to show support for the country amidst current conflict.

Some citizens have already joined in support of the party’s move, which aims to have the by-law scrapped for the city.

Here’s more about the flag debate that’s suddenly heating up the Cape.

ALSO READ: Rand Water owed R4.1 billion these top five worst contributors

CAPE TOWN’S NEW BY-LAW BEING OPPOSED

According to a press release by the GOOD political party, Cape Town’s ‘anti-Palestine’ by-laws will be opposed after incidents that are said to have occurred in November.

ALSO READ: Watch: Influencer on EXTREME SA FOOD TOUR!

The press release notes the by-law prohibiting the display of the Palestinian flag, which the release claims were used to threaten residents of the Bo-Kaap in November, 2023.

In the press release, the legislation is called ‘like a piece of PW Botha’s emergency legislation’ and is criticised for its seeming pro-Israel stance.

ALSO READ: Springboks, the EFF, Die Antwoord and the 1995 SAMAs [Watch]

It also says, ‘By banning residents from expressing themselves where they live and play, whether by displaying a verse from the Bible or a Palestinian flag, the City assumes the role of thought police.’

ABOUT CAPE TOWN’S GOOD PARTY

According to their website, the GOOD party was started in 2018 by the founder Patricia de Lille.

ALSO READ: SASSA warns against website fraud: How to avoid scammers

The founder has a long political history, including as the Mayor of Cape Town and the current Minister of Tourism.

According to the party’s description, the aims of the political party include opposing racism, corruption, poverty, and gender discrimination.

WHAT’S IN A FLAG?

Flags have caused much controversy, as symbols that represent ideals or thoughts of a country.

ALSO READ: Back from Ibiza, Julius Malema vows ‘huge-scale’ National Shutdown in SA

Similar restrictions have been reported in Israel according to Amnesty International, and Southern Africa has a long and hard history with the display of the old country flag – which is, by all standards, considered an illegality.