DA-led City under scrutiny following police raids over fraud and corruption

POLICE-LED raids at 26 addresses including business premises, municipal offices, and private residences associated with individuals and entities have intensified scrutiny on alleged corruption and irregularities in City’s procurement, raising questions over DA’s claims of clean governance.

The SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation (CCI) unit in the Western Cape, supported by detectives and external stakeholders, executed a large-scale operation as part of the investigation concerning contracts valued at approximately R1.6 billion, with warrants obtained to secure documents and electronic evidence to assess the alleged fraud and corruption.

The operation was initiated based on information received from a whistle-blower and preliminary investigations conducted by both the City and the SAPS, said police spokesperson Andre Traut.

“This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to decisively address corruption and safeguard public resources. SAPS calls on the public and stakeholders to allow the investigation teams the necessary space to conduct their work without disruption,” Traut added.

The City said its Forensic Services acted swiftly to assess and report the matter to SAPS in line with its zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption.

“Operations took place at various addresses, including business premises, municipal buildings, and private residences. More details will be made available by SAPS as the investigation progresses. Please approach SAPS for more information,” the City said.

The National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader, Fadiel Adams described the investigation as a critical step in restoring public confidence in the justice system, insisting that no one should be above the law, regardless of position or political connections.

“For far too long, our communities have watched billions disappear while we are left to suffer in poverty, crime, and neglect. This operation is not just about corruption, it’s about justice for every working-class family that was robbed of opportunity by the greed of the few.”

GOOD Party Secretary-General and Western Cape Parliament member Brett Herron said the scale of the operation was a stark indicator of the seriousness of the allegations.

Herron added that while the DA frequently touts Cape Town as a model of clean governance, emerging scandals suggest systemic failures in oversight, accountability, and due diligence. “Corruption must be confronted at every level, national, provincial, and local, and GOOD will continue to support all efforts that promote transparency, accountability, and honest service delivery,” he said.

Benson Ngqentsu, SACP provincial secretary and ANC caucus spokesperson for Police Oversight and Community Safety said: “Given the tentacles of the rot in the City of Cape Town, we therefore call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently deploy the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the City of Cape Town. We are not making this call for the first time. If the president does not act, we will conclude that he is complicit and shall mobilise our people to march to the President to demand this SIU investigation.”

ANC councillor Ndithini Thyido said the raids vindicate the party’s long-held view that corruption pervades the City.

Cape Times