Whistleblowers call for independent audit amid Cape Town corruption investigation
Police have executed a large-scale seizure operation at 26 addresses across the Cape Town metropolitan area, believed to be triggered by a whistleblower's information about tenders and contracts worth R1.6 billion.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Whistleblowers and politicians are calling for an independent audit and an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) after a major seizure operation took place at 26 locations across the Cape Town metropolitan area.
This operation is believed to be linked to allegations of corruption involving tenders and contracts worth R1.6 billion. In January, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced that the city had achieved its second consecutive clean audit, with the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Annual Reports receiving praise for good governance.
The City’s integrity came under spotlight in 2023, following the arrest of their former Mayco Member of Human Settlements (MMC), Malusi Booi.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith.
Image: File Picture
In January a raid ensued at the offices of Mayco Member for Security and Safety, JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg, Mayco Member for Energy but the two were vindicated by a decision of the Western Cape High Court who deemed the search as unconstitutional.
In June, Booi and his nine co-accused including alleged 28s gang boss, Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson had charges relating to R1bn housing tender fraud withdrawn.
On Wednesday, Provincial Police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut said their Commercial Crime Investigation (CCI) was conducting a large-scale search and seizure operation at 26 Cape Town addresses , following a whistleblower's tip and preliminary investigations by the City of Cape Town and SAPS.
The targets include businesses, municipal officials' residences, and locations linked to contractors awarded approximately R1.6 billion in municipal contracts.
Malusi Booi was removed as Mayco member for Human Settlements in the City of Cape Town, a week after his offices were raided by police and charges against him was later withdrawn.
Image: file
The City of Cape Town lauded the police action, citing its zero-tolerance policy on fraud: “In line with the City’s zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption, City Forensic Services took swift action to assess and report the matter to SAPS, who then undertook a search and seizure operation.
“Operations took place at various addresses, including business premises, municipal buildings, and private residences."
Smith, on Wednesday, following the latest seizure operation, defused claims that a second raid was taking place at City offices and cited that National Cape Coloured Congress’ (NCC) president, Fadiel Adams was spreading misinformation: "He has learned that the only way for him to gain any publicity is by using the names of others. Were it not for me, General Mkhwanazi, or his chommie Gayton, he would never receive any attention."
National Cape Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Admas and Haief Loonat.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
Adams said the seizure would uproot serious irregularities and potential corruption: "This operation is not just about corruption, it’s about justice for every working-class family who was robbed of opportunity by the greed of the few."
Adams’ known wingman and whistleblower, Hanif Loonat did not spare his words and called for an independent audit.
Loonat together with Adams in 2023 lodged a criminal complaint against city officials over allegations of tender fraud etc in excess of R300 million.
“The clean audits are lies, if you know how clean audits are determined, the city gives the auditor what he wants the auditor to see,” he told the Cape Argus on Wednesday.
“Audits need to be done independently, where an auditor goes deep into any tender or any payment made by any department.
“I find it strange that the Court found the last raid illegal. There is a suspicion of a criminal offense, how does the investigating team prove an offense without them having the right to do their job without interference."
Benson Ngqentu, SACP Provincial Secretary and ANC Caucus spokesperson for Police Oversight and Community Safety said they agreed: “Given the Special Investigating Unit-SIU expertise in tackling systemic corruption, on November 4, 2024 as the South African Communist Party in the Brian Bunting District we called for a Proclamation by the President authorizing SIU to investigate fraud and corruption allegation involving the tender processes in the City of Cape Town and the alleged collusion between city officials and the so called construction mafia."
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament added: "While the Democratic Alliance frequently holds up Cape Town as a model of clean governance, the pattern of emerging scandals tells a different story," he said.
The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) said they supported all legitimate and transparent investigations into the dealings of the City.
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