Following a day of high drama that saw the suspension of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Malusi Booi, the Western Cape government has expressed concerns over the criminality in governance.
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The suspension comes following a search and seizure operation at Booi’s offices on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis confirmed that the raid was linked to alleged fraud and corruption and that Booi had been placed on suspension with immediate effect.
“The SAPS informed me … that 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,” he said.
“As a result, I have suspended councillor Booi from his position on the mayoral committee.”
“The city has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption and will not hesitate to act in the interests of good governance.”
The mayor added that Economic Opportunities MMC James Vos would act in Booi’s position while investigations were under way.
News24 reports that the police seized devices and documents in Booi’s offices and took his cellphone.
According to DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers, details about the raid were unclear.
“For the moment I confirm that the Western Cape government, the Department of Infrastructure, the Western Cape DA, and all of the combined arms of government in the Western Cape unreservedly condemn any and all irregular and illegal influences upon the execution of good governance,” he said.
“I assure the people of the Western Cape and of the City of Cape Town that criminality will not derail good governance. The DA and the Western Cape government will act decisively and swiftly to meet every challenge posed by criminals,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ANC’s caucus in the Western Cape Legislature said that they were “very happy” with the suspension, adding that anyone found on the wrong side of the law must be held accountable.
“We are very happy with what has happened so that if there is an element of breaking the law by anyone, that issue is addressed. We welcome the suspension of the MMC of human settlements, Malusi Booi. The law must dig deeper and clean all elements that undermine good governance,” it said.
“We believe that corruption, where it exists, must be uprooted, and those found on the wrong side of the law must be punished. This is the only way we would be able to service our people.”
“The [authorities] must be allowed to do their investigation without interference.”
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Picture: Malusibooi / Twitter