In a sweeping anti-corruption operation, the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted simultaneous search and seizure raids at 26 locations across Cape Town on Tuesday, 30 September, targeting individuals and entities linked to municipal contracts worth approximately R1.6 billion.
The coordinated operation, led by SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation unit in the Western Cape, was supported by detectives and external stakeholders. The early-morning raids included business premises, private residences of municipal officials, and properties connected to companies that were awarded City of Cape Town contracts.
According to provincial police spokesperson Col. André Traut, the investigation stems from information provided by a whistleblower and preliminary findings from joint probes by both the police and the City of Cape Town. Traut confirmed that all necessary search and seizure warrants were secured ahead of the operation.
Authorities are now working to collect both documentary and electronic evidence as part of an ongoing effort to uncover the extent of alleged fraud and corruption within the City’s procurement processes.
Traut emphasized the police’s firm commitment to rooting out corruption and protecting public funds. “This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to decisively address corruption and safeguard public resources,” he said. Police appealed to the public and relevant stakeholders to refrain from interfering with the investigation and allow the teams to carry out their duties without disruption.
In a statement to the media, the City of Cape Town affirmed its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption, noting that City Forensic Services acted swiftly to assess the allegations and report the matter to the police, which subsequently launched the search and seizure operation. “More details will be made available by SAPS as the investigation progresses,” the statement read.
