GOOD Statement by Suzette Little
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Chairperson
16 March 2023
The office raid of Cape Town Mayco member Malusi Booi is a welcome sign that real progress is being made against alleged ongoing fraud and corruption in the City’s housing department.
A search and seizure operation took place late on the 15th of March at City offices, which included the office of the MMC for Human Settlements, Cllr Booi.
GOOD welcomes the investigations into the alleged corruption within the Human Settlements Directorate. The investigation has been ongoing for sometime and the actual raid of the offices indicates that this is more than just allegations.
However, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis needs to come clean on what exactly the Commercial Crimes Unit is investigating and when he became aware that his Mayco Member may be implicated.
Serious concerns with regards to the workings of the Human Settlements department have been brought to attention of the Mayor, on several occasions and by several opposition parties, through Council questions and debates.
In the case of Cllr Fadiel Adams, leader of the Cape Coloured Congress (CCC), the Mayor arrogantly refused to listen to opposition councillors when concerns were raised around possible fraud and corruption.
Recently the City was also made aware of allegations against former mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahied Badroodien. Cllr Badroodien stepped down, or was asked to step down, as the Mayoral Committee Member.
With regards to the Booi’s case, it’s understood that the Mayor is first awaiting a report from the Provincial Commercial Crimes Unit, before he would take action. Why has Booi not been asked to follow in Badroodien’s footsteps?
As GOOD we call on Cllr Booi to take leave or step away from the Mayco role while the investigation is ongoing. The City needs to show that it takes all allegations and cases of this nature seriously, irrespective of who is involved.
Media Enquiries:
Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 073 321 5036
Email: suzettel@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za