Western Cape High Court rules against City of Cape Town in minstrels dispute

Supporters of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) celebrate outside court following a ruling in their favour in the dispute with the City of Cape Town over the Vygieskraal Stadium booking.

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed the City of Cape Town's application for leave to appeal in its legal dispute with the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA).

In the judgment handed down on Monday, Judge Mokgoatji Lekhuleni found that the City's appeal had no real chance of winning and described further litigation as a "waste of judicial resources".

The dispute stems from the City's decision to cancel CTMCA's confirmed booking for Vygieskraal Stadium to host Tweede Nuwe Jaar events earlier this year, on January 1, 10, 17 and 24.

The City initially confirmed the booking on September 17 and 19, 2025, but cancelled it on September 22.