Court dismisses protection order against Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed the Magistrates Court’s dismissal of a protection order taken out by an Edgemead resident.

The case involves an application for a protection order lodged by the resident, who accused the Mayor of harassment and abuse of power in relation to an alleged land-use violation and was heard at the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court for its duration.

The Cape Argus previously reported that the applicant was allegedly running an illegal chop shop in a residential area, which sparked a complaint.

The matter was on the court roll for ten months, with the magistrate dismissing it with costs.

The magistrate found the matter to be completely without merit and intentionally delayed by the applicant, who caused several postponements over ten months.

The magistrate further lamented the manner in which the applicant and his attorney conducted the litigation, which amounted to a regrettable waste of the court’s time and resources.

The Mayor’s spokesperson, Lyndon Khan, said the case involved a land-use violation relating to business activities in Bothasig.

“In this case, the Mayor witnessed and reported a land-use violation related to illegal business activities taking place in Bothasig,” he detailed.

“This action prompted an application for a protection order by the person running the illegal car repair business from the residential house, in an attempt to evade accountability.

“Despite being given notice of today’s hearing well in advance, neither the applicant nor his legal representative were present today when the matter was argued and thrown out with costs, which the City will now pursue.” Khan said the Mayor is satisfied with the outcome.

“Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed the Magistrates Court’s dismissal with costs of a spurious protection order application by an individual linked to illegal business operations which the Mayor witnessed and reported last year,” Khan added.

“All citizens, including the Mayor have the responsibility to report wrongdoing when they see it. This is an important part of building a safer Cape Town based on the rule of law.”

The Mayor has been in office since November 2021 and is in his fifth year as the Executive Mayor.

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Cape Argus