Dan Plato

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 22: Dan Plato (Minister for Community Safety in the Western Cape) is seen after Ocean View residences blocked off Kommetjie Road by burning tyres and rubble during the ongoing protest against gangsterism in the area on September 22, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s alleged that some community members were arrested this morning, police officials are on high alert and are using water cannons to disperse angry community members. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

Mayor Dan Plato caught on camera speaking on migrants [video]

Plato was not aware that the microphone was still capturing audio feed.

Dan Plato

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 22: Dan Plato (Minister for Community Safety in the Western Cape) is seen after Ocean View residences blocked off Kommetjie Road by burning tyres and rubble during the ongoing protest against gangsterism in the area on September 22, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s alleged that some community members were arrested this morning, police officials are on high alert and are using water cannons to disperse angry community members. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

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The video was shared by Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) on Twitter.

The footage showed Cape Town mayor, Dan Plato, in conversation with an unidentified male.

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Mayor Dan Plato shares his views on migrants and the WC economy

Standing next to the podium where he had just addressed an audience, Plato and the gentleman he was in conversation with, had no idea that the microphone was still capturing their vocal feed.

The subject of the conversation between the two gentlemen was about the Western Cape’s economy and its limitations.

Plato pointed to the huge influx of migrants from across South Africa as well as immigrants as the chief impediment to the province’s growth.

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He put it to the gentleman that about 99% of migrants who come into the Western Cape are not able to fend for themselves. Thus, this, according to Plato, places a huge strain on the minority of taxpayers.

“We pay, currently as we speak, 99% of those coming into the Western Cape, the two of us pay for them. They can’t think for themselves. Lots and lots of our budget goes to… [inaudible] unfortunately. That is a challenge, a major challenge. One needs to bear that in mind,” Plato whispered, unaware that he was being recorded.

As the gentleman tried to put it to Plato that migrant workers have a better work ethic than locals, their conversation was interrupted and the video abruptly ends.

This short clip which admittedly does not hold enough context for one to place any sort of judgment on the nature of the conversation has caused an outrage on social media.

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Watch: Dan Plato caught on camera expressing thoughts on migrants