Grant Pascoe
SCANDAL: DA Hijacks City-Linked Festival for Fundraising While Ratepayers Foot the Bill
A major political scandal is unfolding in Cape Town. The Democratic Alliance has been exposed for turning the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival into a DA campaign fundraiser. The event is now branded as the “DA Cape Town Metro Region Annual Fundraiser” and is being used to collect money for their 2026 election campaign.
Conflict of Interests
This festival has a long history of receiving City of Cape Town support. That includes ratepayer-funded infrastructure, marketing, and logistical assistance. Now it is being used for political gain, with no shame and no accountability. The public is expected to laugh along while the DA raises money off a City-backed platform.
At the center of this controversy is Alderman JP Smith. He is not only the DA’s Cape Metro Chairperson but also the Mayoral Committee Member in charge of Safety and Security. His official role gives him political control over the Events Office, Metro Police, Law Enforcement, Disaster Risk Management, Traffic Services, and the Film Office. These are the very departments that approve and support public events.
JP Smith is now using his City authority to support a party fundraiser that benefits him and his political team. This is a clear conflict of interest and a disgraceful abuse of public office.
The fallout is growing. Headline comedians Marc Lottering and Riaad Moosa are facing serious pressure to withdraw from the event. Their names are being used to lend credibility to a fundraiser that misleads the public and hijacks a cultural festival for political gain. Major sponsors such as Jive and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines must also answer to the public. Were they aware their brands would be used in support of a DA campaign event?
Are RatePayers Money Being Used to Enabe The Event?
Cape Town residents are asking real questions. Did the City of Cape Town provide any form of support to this event. Were City staff or platforms used. Did JP Smith declare his conflict of interest. Was this fundraiser approved through proper channels. Was ratepayers’ money used to enable this political event?
If the ANC had done this the DA would call it corruption and demand resignations. But when the DA does it they call it a fun-raiser. There is nothing fun about abusing public trust. There is nothing ethical about using residents’ money and City resources for your own political party’s gain.
Violation of Public Trust
This is not just unethical. It is a violation of public trust. Ratepayers did not sign up to fund the DA’s election campaigns. The City of Cape Town belongs to its people not to any political party.
JP Smith must be held accountable. This event must be investigated. Sponsors must be transparent. Artists must rethink their participation.
This is not a comedy show. This is a political cover-up hiding in plain sight. The DA must answer.
The 26th Jive Cape Town Funny Festival runs from 2 to 29 June 2025.
Grant Pascoe Writes in his Personal Capacity and his opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of Bruinou.com or our editorial staff,
