The GOOD Party on Thursday formally submitted a Motion of No Confidence against Cape Town Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase, calling for the motion to be conducted by secret ballot.

GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor and Caucus Whip Jonathan Cupido said last week’s council meeting marked the “final straw”, alleging repeated failures to uphold the integrity of council processes, maintain order, and preside impartially.

He said this had brought the institution into disrepute and eroded public trust.

In March, the multiparty caucus, led by the African National Congress (ANC) and other opposition parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), GOOD Party, Patriotic Alliance, National Coloured Congress and Al Jama-ah, brought a motion, which collapsed after the then-leader of the ANC caucus Banele Majingo, resigned from the ANC and crossed the floor to join the Democratic Alliance.

Cupido said among the grounds for its motion against Purchase were persistent failures to maintain order and decorum, including her handling of the incident involving the forced removal and choking of EFF Councillor Banzi Dambuza.

He said Purchase demonstrated bias and selective discipline, and accused her of protecting DA councillors while targeting members of the opposition, as well as claims of an improper handling of council voting processes.

Cupido said Purchase made unilateral changes to council meeting formats, overturning decisions taken in good faith at the Speakers' Programming Committee and that she had failed to recuse herself from presiding over motions affecting her own office, in violation of established case law and basic principles of justice.

“The Speaker is entrusted with upholding the rules of council, ensuring fairness, and protecting councillors’ rights. Alderman Purchase has violated this mandate,” Cupido said.

The party called on all councillors, regardless of party affiliation, who value “transparency, accountability, and the credibility” of this institution, to support the motion.