CAPE TOWN – The South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crime Investigation Unit conducted search and seizure operations on Thursday morning as part of an ongoing investigation involving a former contractor of the City of Cape Town, Triple C Maintenance and Services.

ALSO READ: R1.2 billion contract cancelled amid bribery claims

Acting on search and seizure warrants, according to police spokesman Colonel Andrè Traut, investigators executed operations at multiple residential properties as well as a City of Cape Town office.

“During the operation, 21 cellular phones and nine laptops were seized for forensic investigation, together with other potential evidential material relevant to the case,” says Traut.

Sting operation leads to arrest

The addresses searched included those of Mayco member of finance Siseko Mbandezi , several municipal employees, and a number of private individuals linked to the investigation.

“The investigation extends beyond the municipal environment and forms part of a broader probe into alleged fraud, corruption and related offences. It follows a sting operation that led to the arrest of the owner of the company after he allegedly handed over a substantial amount of cash to the city manager as inducement.” says Traut.

According to the City of Cape Town, the city manager worked with SAPS in the sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the owner of the business.

“During the staged encounter, the suspect allegedly handed the city manager R1.4 million in cash. The payment was purportedly offered as a bribe in exchange for assistance in retaining the vendor’s contracts with the City,” says a City spokesperson.

City and SAPS conducting joint investigation

The ongoing investigation is being conducted jointly by the South African Police Service (SAPS) the City of Cape Town’s ethics and forensics department.

“The progress made thus far reinforces the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in uncovering and addressing complex collusive fraud and corruption schemes involving both public officials and private individuals,” says Traut.

No arrests were effected during the operations.

“As the investigation remains active, SAPS will not comment further on specific evidential aspects of the matter at this stage. Further action will be guided by the evidence gathered and the outcome of ongoing investigations,” says Traut.

The City further stated that it is supporting the ongoing police investigation in the matter.

“The Mayor has not received any indication from SAPS that the search and seizure relates to wrongdoing of the Mayco member directly, rather than ongoing evidence building for the trial of the contractor and others,” says the City spokesperson. “The investigation also extends beyond the municipal sphere, with search and seizure operations conducted on several external parties.”

“The City further took decisive action to terminate all contracts held by the contractor in question, Triple C Maintenance and Services. Contingency measures were put in place for continuity of service on this contract work, including road maintenance, resurfacing and stormwater infrastructure.”