Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has suspended Malusi Booi, a member of the Mayor’s Committee on Human Settlements (Mayco), with immediate effect.
This follows police raids on City offices, including Booi’s office, where members of the commercial crime unit seized electronic equipment and documents. No arrests have been made.
Fraud and corruption investigations
The search and seizure operation is related to an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption.
Also read: Police raid City of Cape Town offices in fraud and corruption probe
In a statement on Thursday, Hill-Lewis said she had been told by police that the investigation was in its early stages, but was “potentially serious” and related to fraud and corruption.
The mayor said he could not provide more information about the investigation because the investigation is ongoing.
“As a result, I have suspended councilor Booi from his position on the mayor’s committee. In the interim, I have appointed Alderman James Vos as acting member of Mayco for human settlements,” said Hill-Lewis.
He added: “I further assure the full support of Saps of the City in the ongoing investigation. The City has a zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption and will not hesitate to act in the interest of good governance”.
Metro integrity
Earlier on Thursday, Hill-Lewis said he was waiting to be notified by the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit about the motive for the attack.
The mayor said he had made it clear to Booi that he would “act swiftly and decisively if there is substantial information that would undermine the integrity of this government”.
In November last year, eight City of Cape Town officials were arrested for their alleged involvement in a construction tender scam.
This follows an investigation into complaints of fraud and corruption that led to invoice inflation, irregular payments to service providers for non-performing construction and other illegal activities.
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