“Let them drink champagne”: DA livid over Women’s month ‘treat’

Share the Article:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned what it termed vulgar display of excess by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) at a party hosted by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).

The event wrapped up Women’s month by paying homage to the women in the city of Johannesburg transport department – under the theme “a woman’s journey”.

In a video circulated widely on social media, the Sushi King-turned-politician MMC Kenny Kunene, can be seen leading a toast with barrels of expensive French champagne.

DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku says while roads are literally exploding in the Joburg CBD, the PA has turned the JRA into a feeding trough for excess and political vulgarity.

City of Joburg has become a drunken joke. While your valuations and rates increase exponentially – don't worry your money is being used to buy French champagne to celebrate less than sub standard service #GetRegistered #NotVotingEqualsMediocrity pic.twitter.com/OoVmHQ8z3w

— Leah Knott (@LeahK28) August 26, 2023

“It is important to note that, until recently, a deployed PA cadre, Charles Cilliers, was the chairman of the JRA board,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku revealed that her party has already lodged a complaint with the public protector over the PA’s cadre deployment of Cilliers.

She added; “He is currently employed in the city administration while being a member of the PA’s extended NEC and holding the position of head of strategy and negotiation in the party, despite the fact that the recently-amended municipal systems act prohibits anyone who holds political office from being employed in a municipality.

“The DA will further urgently submit a request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act to determine how much taxpayer money was wasted on the PA’s champagne party.

“What we see in this video, is the essence of the PA from its leader making misogynistic comments towards women and wasting taxpayers money on booze with single bottle of this luxurious champagne retailing for over R1 600.

“This is a party that is nothing but an extension of ANC misrule and vulgarity presiding over the collapse of Johannesburg”.

ALSO READ | Bloem outline reasons for parting ways with COPE

Kayser-Echeozonjoku further adds that this disgusting behaviour vindicates the DA’s principled commitment to not partner with the PA under any circumstances.

“The people of Johannesburg deserve better than this. That is why the DA will introduce a motion to dissolve the Joburg city council as soon as it becomes legally possible on November 2.

“We demand that fresh elections are held in Johannesburg within 90 days, so that the residents of our country’s biggest city can vote out small parties like the PA that have sold out to the ANC while causing profound instability and suffering,” she concluded.