Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith was forced to leave a stakeholder meeting involving Police Minister Bheki Cele and Total Shutdown organisers on Wednesday.
Cele and a ministry delegation were due to meet residents who held a mass protest in Cape Town on Tuesday over crime, poverty and gangsterism in many neighbourhoods of the city.
When Total Shutdown members arrived at the venue in Bonteheuwel, they demanded that Smith and DA councillor Angus McKenzie leave.
"Our struggle will not be used for political purposes," Total Shutdown leader Henrietta Abrahams said.
Read: 8 people arrested in Cape Town 'total shutdown' protest
She said that Smith had "fought" the movement "every step of the way" and that he was not welcome at the meeting.
After some resistance from Smith, who insisted that he had been invited, Cele addressed the crowd.
Cele said that he had not personally invited Smith to the meeting and that he didn't know government members would be present.
The minister then politely asked an angry Smith to leave.
The meeting continued.
Follow News24's Christina Pitt on Twitter for updates: @ChristinaPitt94
Cele explains that he did not personally invite Smith and McKenzie to attend the meeting. The crowd cheers as Smith exits.@TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/EPrzY5XI4P
— Christina Pitt (@ChristinaPitt94) September 26, 2018
Police minister Bheki Cele has arrived in Bonteheuwel.@TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/eR2cTPDlif
— Christina Pitt (@ChristinaPitt94) September 26, 2018
Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Jula welcomes Cele to the meeting. He says the purpose of the meeting is to find lasting solutions for the issues plaguing WC communities.@TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/gxmZJwB3eu
— Christina Pitt (@ChristinaPitt94) September 26, 2018