Cape Town – Law enforcers have raided the 6th floor of the Cape Town Civic Centre in search of evidence related to the “construction mafia”.
The floor, which was raided on Friday, (24 January 2025), houses the Mayor and his Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs).
Responding to the raid by investigators Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said he has requested an explanation from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mayor Hill-Lewis said in a similar previous raid, the police had the courtesy of informing him about the reasons behind the probe.
“I’ve requested an urgent briefing from SAPS to understand the details of this matter and will determine the necessary further actions once this has been received,” the mayor said.
“In the earlier matter relating to Malusi Booi, I was offered and given a full briefing by SAPS and have requested the same courtesy be extended to me in this matter as soon as possible.”
Former MMC for Human Settlements, Booi, was subsequently arrested for tender fraud and his matter is before the court.
A statement issued by police said they were investigating tender fraud in the construction sector within the City of Cape Town municipality.
The police said the raid was part of forensic investigations, which emanate from a case that is running before courts.
The police raided the office of MMC for community safety JP Smith, who was reportedly being investigated for housing tender fraud in the metro municipality.
Investigators also raided the offices of MMC for Water and Sanitation Xanthea Limberg.
Confirming the reports, Mayor Hill-Lewis said he had, however, become aware that investigators raided the offices of Mayoral Committee members JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg.
He said both members were cooperating with the police.
Commenting on the raid, the GOOD Party said it was “shocked to have learnt that the Western Cape SAPS Provincial Commercial Crimes investigators descended on the 6th floor of the Cape Town Civic Centre”.
“The GOOD Party believes that no one is above the law and we urge the mayor and his officials to cooperate fully with the police,” said GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron.
“The raiding of the offices of Cape Town MMCs Smith and Limberg demands an explanation from the Democratic Alliance and Mayor Hill-Lewis.
“This raid has followed a similar process to that of former Mayco Member Malusi Booi.
“First the raid, then the Mayor’s surprise, then his call for a briefing from SAPS. The theatre is dishonest and disrespectful.”
Herron said the Mayor and the administration “must have been aware” of an investigation in which these two MMCs were allegedly implicated.
“Hill-Lewis has a duty to share with the public what they are under investigation for and when he became aware,” The GOOD Party Secretary-General said.
“The personal relationship between Smith and Limberg only adds more fuel and speculation to an unexplained fire.
“Hill-Lewis must also explain whether Smith and Limberg will be suspended, as he did with Booi, and removed from their offices.
“If the investigation involves City matters or corruption, then they cannot be in office.”
Herron added: “Their continued presence could impede the investigation or at least give the perception of being in a position to impede.
“The logical and consistent thing to do is to immediately suspend them.”
