A coordinated search and seizure operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified scrutiny on alleged corruption and irregularities in municipal procurement in the City of Cape Town, raising questions over the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) long-held claims of clean governance.

The SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation (CCI) unit in the Western Cape, supported by detectives and external stakeholders, executed a large-scale operation at 26 addresses across the Cape Town metropolitan area on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

The targeted locations include business premises, municipal offices, and private residences associated with individuals and entities that have been awarded municipal contracts.

The investigation concerns contracts valued at approximately R1.6 billion, with warrants obtained to secure documentary and electronic evidence to assess the alleged fraud and corruption.

Western Cape spokesperson Colonel André Traut stated that the operation was initiated based on information received from a whistle-blower and preliminary investigations conducted by both the city and the SAPS.

“This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to decisively address corruption and safeguard public resources. SAPS calls on the public and stakeholders to allow the investigation teams the necessary space to conduct their work without disruption,” Traut added.

The National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader, Fadiel Adams, openly supported the raids, saying: “We approve the raids and the arrests that will follow. And we can assure that while we are being fleeced for water and electricity, the DA-run municipality is involved in ANC-style fraud, corruption, and looting that the mayor, the Speaker, and the city manager have covered up.”

Adams cited specific examples, including a contract initially awarded for R10 million but later reportedly withdrawn for R800 million.

“There will be almost nothing left of that even for the Mayco members in this municipality by the time we’re through,” he said.

Adams also criticised the city’s claim of clean audits, saying: “Their claim to clean audits is a slap on the face to the Office of the Auditor-General. It calls into question the integrity of the Auditor-General.”

He further stressed the broader impact on communities: “For far too long, our communities have watched billions disappear while we are left to suffer in poverty, crime, and neglect. This operation is not just about corruption, it’s about justice for every working-class family that was robbed of opportunity by the greed of the few.”

The NCC described the investigation as a critical step in restoring public confidence in the justice system, insisting that no one should be above the law, regardless of position or political connections.

GOOD Party Secretary-General and Western Cape Parliament member Brett Herron welcomed the raids, stating: “The GOOD Party welcomes any effort to root out corruption and safeguard public resources. We commend the SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for its coordinated search and seizure operation targeting alleged municipal procurement irregularities in the City of Cape Town. The scale of the operation is a stark indicator of the seriousness of the allegations.”

Herron added that while the DA frequently touts Cape Town as a model of clean governance, emerging scandals suggest systemic failures in oversight, accountability, and due diligence. “Corruption must be confronted at every level, national, provincial, and local, and GOOD will continue to support all efforts that promote transparency, accountability, and honest service delivery,” he said.

Benson Ngqentsu, SACP provincial secretary and ANC caucus spokesperson for Police Oversight and Community Safety, called for further investigation.

“Given the tentacles of the rot in the City of Cape Town, we therefore call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently deploy the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the City of Cape Town. We are not making this call for the first time. If the president does not act, we will conclude that he is complicit and shall mobilise our people to march to the President to demand this SIU investigation.”

ANC councillor Ndithini Thyido said the raids vindicate the party’s long-held view that corruption pervades the city.

“We encourage any member of the public with information to come forward and assist the police in their investigation and unmask the DA’s double talk… The alleged approximate R1.6 billion under investigation could have been used to deal with the scourge of violent crime in the Cape Flats.”

Thyido added that Cape Town remains a city with sprawling slums, where residents continue to live without basic services such as water and toilets.

Freedom Front Plus spokesperson Paul Jacobson noted: “The DA has always been very quick to target other municipalities and make accusations against them… Now we wait anxiously and responsibly for the process to take its due course. We have faith in the system that the eventual outcome will determine who is guilty and who is not.”

The city stated that in line with its zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption, City Forensic Services acted swiftly to assess and report the matter to SAPS.

“Operations took place at various addresses, including business premises, municipal buildings, and private residences. More details will be made available by SAPS as the investigation progresses. Please approach SAPS for more information,” the city said.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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