Image: Business Live
Faizel Patel – 24/08/2021
In the wake of the total breakdown of law and order in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July, a new survey has revealed that there is strong support for an independent Cape of Good Hope.
Columnist Ivo Vegter was speaking to Radio Islam on Monday about the survey which has drawn a lot of attention following last month’s deadly anarchy in the country.
At least 300 people were killed and scores were arrested for looting and arson after criminals targeted shopping malls and businesses in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Vegter says the survey by the Cape Advocacy Group shows that in one year there has been a marked increase in the support of the idea of independence among residents of the Western Cape.
“There’s no an outright majority of adult voters, about 58% that supports calling a referendum on independence.”
Vegter says the Democratic Alliance has recently tabled a private members bill in parliament that will give effect to a provincial premiers constitutional right to call referendums.
“So the constitution says they can, but the law doesn’t provide for it yet. So they’re now provisioning changes to the law to match the constitution. Pending the passing of that bill, pressure is certainly growing on Alan Winde the premier of the Western Cape to actually call a referendum and independence for the province.”
Vegter says while he believes that the arguments in favour of the Western Cape’s secession are quite strong and the time for an independence campaign is ripe, there are reasons to doubt whether it could be successful.
Listen to the interview with Ivo Vegter
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