Cape Town – Cape Town’s human settlements Mayco member Malusi Booi has been suspended after a search and seizure operation at City of Cape Town offices by the police on Thursday morning.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the matter related to alleged fraud and corruption.
“The SAPS informed me this morning the investigation is at an early stage but is potentially serious and relates to alleged fraud and corruption and that further details cannot be disclosed at this time,” Hill-Lewis said.
He said that he has appointed James Vos as the acting Mayco member for human settlements.
“I have suspended councillor Booi from his position on the mayoral committee. In the interim, I have appointed alderman James Vos as acting mayco member for human settlements.
ALSO READ | Police raid City of Cape Town offices in fraud and corruption probe
“I have further assured the SAPS of the city’s full support in the investigation. The city has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption and will not hesitate to act in the interests of good governance,” said Hill-Lewis.
News24 earlier reported that police spokesperson Andrè Traut had confirmed that detectives executed a search warrant at the Civic Centre’s offices as part of an investigation into fraud and corruption.
He said electronic equipment and documents were confiscated in the process. However, he said that details of the seizure and investigation could be divulged at this stage.
Welcoming the raid, the ANC’s Khalid Sayed said that law enforcement agencies needed to take a hard stance against any allegations of malfeasance, particularly relating to service delivery departments, Eye Witness News reported,
“We have always been of the view that a lot of malpractice has been happening in the City of Cape Town, without the necessary consequences,” the report quoted Sayed as saying.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@MalusiBooi
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
