Overview
- Judge James Lekhuleni ruled the City acted improperly in withdrawing Vygieskraal Stadium approval and ordered it to secure a suitable alternative from 1 January 2026 at the City’s cost.
- The City said it is disappointed and is applying for leave to appeal, asserting the order pertains to CTMCA’s competitions and not the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade run by the KKKA.
- Officials maintain the City is not the parade organiser and does not set the route, with the KKKA’s application to march via Somerset Road and the Fan Walk into DHL Stadium still under Events Permit Office review.
- The CTMCA told the court the Vygieskraal approval was withdrawn without reasons and a separate street‑parade application was declined, arguments the court accepted in finding the City’s conduct improper.
- Political parties including the EFF and ANC oppose stadium‑focused plans and possible ticketing as exclusionary, while the KKKA defends changes as pragmatic for safety, cost and scheduling, setting 5 January 2026 for the parade and first competition day.