Not enough evidence to suspend two MMC's, says Cape Town Mayor

The Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says there is not enough evidence to remove Mayco Member (MMC) for Safety and Security JP Smith and Energy MMC, Xanthea Limberg.

Calls for the pair to be placed on suspension have been mounting since the police raided their offices last week.

Hill-Lewis says he met with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday, and they did not give him any substantive evidence of alleged wrongdoing regarding the two MMCs. Hill-Lewis said on Friday that he requested an urgent briefing from SAPS to understand the details of this matter.

‘’I met with SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Patekile and two of his officials on 29 January, who could not provide any indication of whether substantive evidence of wrong-doing exists. SAPS confirmed to me that the execution of a search warrant is in no way indicative of a crime, and I have not been provided with any substantive evidence of alleged wrong-doing by either of the Mayco members in question.  In the circumstances, and unless such substantive evidence is forthcoming, there is no basis to suspend either of them from the Mayoral Committee. I have further sought and since received a legal opinion from senior counsel affirming my view that this is the correct course of action in the current circumstance,’’ said Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town Mayor.

‘’Should substantive evidence of alleged wrong-doing come to light at any stage, I will assess what action is required to defend and uphold the integrity of our government in the City. Full co-operation is being provided by the MayCo members to aid SAPS in their inquiry, as confirmed to me by both SAPS and Aldermen Smith and Limberg. Their co-operation has been offered at all times, even prior to the search.’’

ARCHIVE: Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis

Hill-Lewis said he suspended former Human Settlements MMC, Malusi Booi, as there was enough evidence to do so at the time.

‘’It should be pointed out that there are crucial differences between this and the earlier matter relating to Malusi Booi, which has since proceeded to trial. In the Malusi Booi matter, SAPS gave me insight into substantive evidence of alleged corruption and advised me of their intention to make an arrest. This enabled me to act based on credible and substantive evidence, which is absent at this stage in this matter,’’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

 

Done by: Mitchum George