Police have vowed that more arrests are on the cards as its investigation gains momentum.
Image: FILE
A service provider for the City has been arrested after offering a senior City official a R1.4 million bribe.
The 51-year-old suspect was arrested during an undercover operation at the Watercrest Mall in Somerset West on Tuesday.
The operation forms part of an ongoing probe into tender fraud within the municipality.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said the senior municipal officer rejected the bribe from a service provider who renders services to the City and instead alerted police detectives who initiated an undercover operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspect as well as seizure of the alleged bribe money.
“Following a whistleblower account of alleged collusion between municipal employees and service providers in tender fraud and corruption within the City of Cape Town municipality in March 2025, the City of Cape Town municipality's ethics and forensic services with the SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation, initiated an extensive probe,” Potelwa said.
In February 2026, an undercover operation unfolded wherein the owner of a company contracted to the municipality to undertake maintenance work on municipal infrastructure allegedly requested the senior municipal official to halt internal investigations in exchange for a multimillion rand gratification.
“On March 3, 2026, the undercover operation unfolded with the municipal official as an agent, at Watercrest Mall in Somerset West, an amount of R1.4 million, a vehicle, and cellphone were seized by CCI members. Subsequently, a 51-year-old suspect was arrested,” Potelwa said.
Police have vowed that more arrests are on the cards as its investigation gains momentum.
“A word of appreciation is also extended to the City of Cape Town municipality’s investigation team and the SAPS Commercial Crimes Investigation members for ensuring that the perpetrator is brought before a court of law,” Potelwa said.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis commended City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo for his bravery in support of the SAPS sting operation.
"We welcome the arrest made as a result of this dynamic operation and will continue to support SAPS in ensuring successful prosecutions," said Hill-Lewis.
The City detailed that the company director had approached the City Manager and requested his assistance in halting the City’s internal investigation processes. In return, the director offered gratification of R4 million and committed to an initial payment of R2 million in cash.
On February 27, 2026, the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the continuation of the controlled operation, with the City Manager acting as authorised agent for the successful sting operation in Somerset West.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court today facing corruption charges.
Members of the public are encouraged to report corruption on the National Anti-Corruption hotline 0800 701 701.
Cape Times