Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced that there is currently insufficient evidence to justify the removal of Alderman JP Smith and Alderman Xanthea Limberg from the Cape Town Mayoral Committee (MayCo). This decision follows a meeting between Hill-Lewis and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in which the Mayor sought clarification on the circumstances surrounding the execution of a search warrant at the offices of the two Mayco members on January 24, 2025.
During the meeting, Hill-Lewis was briefed by SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thembisile Patekile, and two other senior officers, who could not provide any indication that substantive evidence of wrongdoing exists against Smith or Limberg. The search warrant, according to SAPS, did not indicate that a crime had been committed. Hill-Lewis emphasized that unless credible evidence surfaces, there is no reason to suspend either of the officials from their positions on the Mayoral Committee.
“I have not been provided with any substantive evidence of alleged wrongdoing by either of the Mayco members in question,” Hill-Lewis said, reinforcing his stance on the matter. “In the circumstances, and unless such substantive evidence is forthcoming, there is no basis to suspend either of them from the Mayoral Committee.”
Hill-Lewis also sought legal counsel on the matter, and received a senior legal opinion that supported his position. This opinion affirmed that, given the current lack of evidence, maintaining the Mayco members’ positions was the correct course of action. However, Hill-Lewis assured the public that should evidence of wrongdoing come to light, he would reassess the situation and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the municipality.
Despite the legal and procedural assurances, the issue has raised questions about the speed and handling of the matter, particularly in comparison to the case of Malusi Booi, a former official whose office was raided in 2025. In that instance, Booi was suspended the day after the raid, and was subsequently dismissed eight days later when further evidence came to light. Hill-Lewis explained that there was a critical difference between the two cases, particularly in terms of the evidence available.
“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,” Hill-Lewis clarified.
The search of the offices of Aldermen Smith and Limberg was part of a broader investigation into alleged tender fraud in the construction sector within the City of Cape Town. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that the raids were directly linked to the ongoing probe. Hill-Lewis stated that both Smith and Limberg have fully cooperated with SAPS throughout the investigation, and they continue to offer their assistance.
As the investigation progresses, Hill-Lewis has made it clear that he is committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in handling the case. “Full co-operation is being provided by the MayCo members to aid SAPS in their inquiry,” he said, emphasizing that the officials had been cooperative even prior to the search being carried out.
As this situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on whether any new evidence will emerge to substantiate the allegations. For now, both Smith and Limberg remain in their roles, with Hill-Lewis asserting that he will take swift action if the facts change.
