Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Former Human Settlements MMC and 9 others in court for alleged corruption

A former Cape Town Mayco Member for Human Settlements and nine other accused appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, on charges of fraud and corruption. Amongst those was Booi’s former girlfriend and ex-wife.

Western Cape police confirmed that the 46-year-old Booi was arrested in the Eastern Cape on Monday evening.

‘’Meanwhile as this investigation unfolds, another team from the same police units also arrested three other suspects in Johannesburg early on Tuesday morning. With the take-down operation progressing four other suspects were also arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday,’’ said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape spokesperson.

The ten suspects face charges of money laundering, racketeering, corruption and extortion fraud.

In March 2023, Booi's office was raided by the Hawks where several items were seized. Booi was later fired as MMC and he subsequently resigned as a DA councillor in the metro.

"The arrests are seen as a significant milestone in this major investigation with the suspects charged and brought before court. The possibility of further arrests in the matter cannot be ruled out,” said Potelwa.

On Wednesday, the court heard allegations that Booi followed the orders of underworld figures including the alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield who reportedly paid him money in exchange for illegally obtaining City of Cape Town’s housing tenders. Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson are expected to be added to the charge sheet during proceedings on Friday. They are facing dozens of other charges relating to their unlawful enterprise.

Prosecutor Nathan Adriaanse told the court that Booi allegedly received R2.5 million in cash for his role in the collusion scheme, as well as various gifts including Rolex watches worth R2 million.

The fraudulent tenders involved in the scheme allegedly amounted to R850 million.

The State indicated that it would not oppose bail for Booi and his co-accused. It argued that bail should be set at R200 000 for Booi and all should have strict bail conditions.

Their bail hearings will continue on Friday.


Done By: Esobusi Mkangelwa

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