Civil society has lashed out at the City of Cape Town, accusing it of reducing public participation to a “tick-box exercise.” Critics claim the City routinely ignores widespread community objections on issues, ranging from tariffs, the building of houses in already cramped areas, Athlone Stadium parking plans, and more.

The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA), comprising 40 ratepayer associations and civic organisations from across Cape Town, has been vocal in its criticism, accusing the City of creating the illusion of accountability while disregarding the feedback it solicits.

CTCRA chairperson Bas Zuidberg said the current model was ineffective and contributed to growing frustration. 

“It is contributing to escalating frustration among residents and civic organisations that engage in municipal policy and by-law discussions. Not only is it challenging to navigate through extensive public participation spreadsheets, which can sometimes span thousands of pages, but these comments are frequently rejected without adequate justification or explanation of their impact on the decision-making process,” he said.

Zuidberg said CTCRA members had experienced this disregard first-hand, warning that it was pushing community volunteers to breaking point.

“It has become increasingly difficult to secure volunteers for the crucial work undertaken by our civic organisations. Volunteer burnout is a prevalent issue, and we have personally witnessed this phenomenon during the 2024 Municipal Planning By-Law amendment and the City’s budget 2025/26 discussion. In both instances, I estimate that approximately 95% of our comments were disregarded,” he said.

Sandra Dickson, founder of  STOP COCT, a non-political activist group focused on keeping the City of Cape Town Council accountable, echoed this, citing the 2025/26 budget as a blatant example of failed engagement. 

“The most recent example of failed Public Participation by the City of Cape Town is the adoption process of the 2025/26 Budget. The public participation opportunities were restricted to the City’s website, where it was not straightforward how to access the facility. STOP COCT received a number of complaints where ‘something went wrong’ and inputs were not accepted, forcing residents to submit a second time,” she said.

Dickson said the City could not deny the scale of opposition. “According to the City, around 4,000 responses were received. Of those, 97% by the City’s own admission were objections rejecting the City’s proposal for additional fixed charges linked to property values. Yet, the City went ahead and pushed them through using the DA’s political majority in Council,” she said.

The matter is now before the courts, and will be heard on 17 and 18 September in the Cape High Court, with SAPOA and AfriForum contesting the legality of the charges.

“The City should seriously consider not working outside the law when Public Participation allows citizens to have a voice,” Dickson said.

Zuidberg warned that the process itself was structurally flawed. 

“The adjudication process is largely opaque, and we lack knowledge of the individuals involved and whether there is adequate oversight or independence. While it is reasonable to assume that municipal officials should not be influenced by elected officials, we are not naïve to believe that this is always the case, particularly at higher levels of municipal management,” he said.

He argued that residents were treated as second-class stakeholders as oppposed to developers, commercial property owners, or industries like film and tourism. “Why are residents not treated in the same manner? Why does the City believe that it possesses all the wisdom to determine what is best for the residents?,” he asked.

GOOD Deputy Secretary-General and City councillor Suzette Little also criticised the City, highlighting repeated examples where public objections were sidelined. 

“Our experience shows that overwhelming community objections are often ignored. In Hanover Park, more than 2,000 objections to a housing development were disregarded, while the Greater Athlone Housing Project steering committee excluded broader community voices. The Dial-a-Ride service set up a committee without informing key stakeholders,” she said.

Little said the City treats residents as passive service recipients rather than active decision-makers.

“Public notices are often restricted to print media, limiting access for low-income and digitally excluded communities. Participation is highly selective, disproportionately excluding low-income residents, the elderly, and those without internet access. There is a lack of independent adjudication, transparency, and accountability in how public submissions are considered,” she said.

She called for a comprehensive Public Participation Policy, a supporting by-law, and consistent community engagement to make the process meaningful, inclusive, and trustworthy.

The City of Cape Town, however, defended its approach.

Officials said it runs hundreds of public participation exercises every year, covering statutory and voluntary engagements, including land use applications, asset disposals, and Integrated Development Plan reviews. It said each process is guided by legislation and tailored to the decision at hand, with no single standardised approach across all matters.

It said residents are notified through multiple channels, including the City’s website, ward committees, councillor and sub-council meetings, and targeted community forums where necessary. Submissions can be made online, by email, or directly at these meetings.

The City said these provisions aim to improve accessibility for underserved communities and the elderly and that comments are collated and reviewed by the delegated decision-maker whether an official, committee, or full Council depending on the matter, with oversight provided by Council’s Portfolio Committees.

It said feedback is assessed on substance rather than volume, in line with case law requiring meaningful engagement.

Participation reports, the City added, form part of Council submissions and are publicly available online, detailing submissions, summaries of public comments, and the City’s response.

Zuidberg and Dickson remain unconvinced. “The City treats residents as an afterthought, while developers and commercial stakeholders shape policies in ways that directly affect communities. Until Cape Town creates genuine, transparent forums where residents’ expertise and concerns are actively incorporated, the public participation system will remain a façade,” Zuidberg said.

tracy-lnn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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