Cape Town Minstrels challenge City’s approval withdrawal in court
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association has taken the City of Cape Town to court, claiming approvals for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium and a planned street parade were withdrawn without explanation.
Image: Ian Landsberg/ Independent Media
In a David and Goliath battle between the Cape Town Minstrel Association (CTMCA) and the City of Cape Town, the CTMCA has approached the Western Cape High Court, claiming the City has withdrawn approval for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium and declined a street parade application without providing reasons.
In a statement, the CTMCA said it was informed that permission to use Vygieskraal had been withdrawn but was not given an explanation for the decision. The association further claims that its application for a separate street parade scheduled for January 3 was also declined without reasons, despite ongoing engagement around regulatory compliance.
According to the CTMCA, the City requested additional documentation as part of the permit process. The association said that while some of the outstanding documents were submitted by its safety officer, the officer was later informed that the application had already been rejected.
The CTMCA argues that the absence of reasons for the decisions left it with no option but to seek urgent court intervention.
Media Release
Image: Supplied
The matter was heard on Saturday evening, when the City’s legal team requested a postponement to allow time to prepare its opposing papers. The request was opposed by the CTMCA. After deliberations, the judge granted the postponement and ordered the City to file its replying papers by 11:00 am on Monday.
The application is set down for hearing at 3:00 pm on Monday, 29 December 2025, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard.
Setting out the relief sought, the CTMCA said: “In essence the application, is to ask the city to give us a venue in order for us to present our competition (Culture and Heritage), or to reinstate the decision that we were previously approved for.”
The association also said the dispute has broader public importance because of the cultural significance of the minstrel tradition.
“We are of the opinion that the, broader community has a great interest in the matter because Cape Town minstrels forms part of their culture and their heritage, and it is a matter that deserves the attention it's getting and to be presented before that particular forum.”
The City has confirmed that papers were served in the matter and that it will file opposing papers. It has not publicly addressed the CTMCA’s claim that approval was withdrawn and permits declined without explanation. Those issues will be determined through the court process.
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