ANC hits out at Alan Winde over cycling shorts in Western Cape Provincial Parliament

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – The ANC in the Western Cape has criticised Premier Alan Winde after alleging that he attended a sitting of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament wearing cycling shorts instead of formal attire.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ANC Western Cape Provincial Legislature Caucus said it was “disgusted and dismayed” by the premier’s appearance in the chamber.

“The African National Congress (ANC) Caucus as the official opposition in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature is disgusted and dismayed that Premier Alan Winde was pantsless and half-dressed for a sitting of the legislature this morning,” the party said.

According to the ANC, the alleged incident occurred during a sitting of the provincial legislature earlier in the day.

“During this morning’s sitting of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Premier Winde was dressed in inappropriate attire, wearing cycling shorts and shoes, much to our horror,” the statement read.

The party said while it recognised the premier’s interest in cycling and physical fitness, his appearance in the chamber raised concerns.

“While we appreciate the Premier’s love of the sport of cycling and maintaining his physical fitness, the ANC is concerned about the Premier’s mental fitness to continue to hold the office that he occupies,” the caucus said.

The ANC argued that the attire did not meet the expected standards of decorum in the legislature.

“Premier Winde’s lack of attire is an insult to the decorum of the legislature, its members and the public. The Premier’s dress code is unbecoming for the authority of the office that he holds and the stature of the legislature,” the party said.

The statement added that the premier’s conduct “undermines the dignity of the legislature and illustrate his lack of awareness and appreciation for the leadership position that he holds as the head of government in the Western Cape province”.

The ANC also criticised what it described as a failure by other leaders in the chamber to intervene.

“We would have expected that the Speaker and Winde’s provincial cabinet colleagues would have acted in the interest of preserving respect for the chamber and the business of the institution, by requesting the Premier to vacate the chamber and return appropriately dressed,” the statement said.

The party called on the legislature’s leadership and the Democratic Alliance to address the matter.

“The ANC expects the Speaker and the DA to address the Premier’s poor leadership and wardrobe choices while executing his official duties,” it said.

According to The Citizen, Winde’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw, said that the premier had cycled to the legislature before the sitting.

“Ahead of the parliamentary sitting, the premier cycled yesterday morning to the opening of the biggest free melanoma screening operation in the world at the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo,” Thaw said.

“He was doing his part to raise awareness of this initiative and to promote the many benefits of cycling and the cycle tour.”

Winde has previously been known for cycling to work during his time as MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, the re[ort said.

While South Africa’s legislatures do not prescribe strict dress codes for members, the rules require lawmakers to observe the decorum of the house, with most typically wearing formal or traditional attire during sittings, said the report.

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