A major SAPS search-and-seizure operation has placed the City of Cape Town under renewed public scrutiny after police searched a municipal office and several residential properties linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud and corruption involving municipal contracts valued at about R1.6 billion. The operation, carried out by the SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, included premises linked to a City of Cape Town mayoral committee member, municipal employees and private individuals. Police say investigators seized cellphones, laptops and other potential evidential material for forensic analysis, while the City says the wider matter forms part of a continuing investigation involving a former contractor whose contracts were cancelled after an alleged bribery attempt against City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo.
SAPS Searches City Office And Homes Linked To Corruption Probe
Western Cape police have confirmed a new escalation in an ongoing corruption investigation involving the City of Cape Town, after SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation Unit members executed search-and-seizure operations at a municipal office and several residential properties.
According to police reporting carried by IOL and community outlet Nova News, the operation took place on Thursday and formed part of a wider probe involving a former City contractor, Triple C Maintenance and Services. The searches included a City of Cape Town office and homes linked to a mayoral committee member, municipal employees and private individuals.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said investigators seized 21 cellphones, nine laptops and other potential evidential material relevant to the case. These items are expected to undergo forensic analysis as investigators work through the digital and documentary trail connected to the probe.
The investigation is linked to alleged fraud and corruption involving municipal contracts valued at about R1.6 billion. At this stage, the search operation does not amount to a finding of guilt against any person whose premises were searched. Search-and-seizure warrants are investigative tools, and any criminal liability would still have to be tested through further investigation and, if charges follow, through the courts.
That legal distinction matters. The public interest is high because the investigation touches municipal contracts, City offices and political office-bearers. But the facts currently verified show an ongoing police investigation, not a conviction.
The latest searches follow earlier developments in the same broader matter. In March, the City of Cape Town announced that City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo had assisted SAPS in an undercover sting operation after a service provider allegedly tried to bribe him. The City said Mbandazayo acted with SAPS during a controlled operation, which led to the arrest of the owner of Triple C Maintenance and Services.
The alleged bribery incident reportedly involved R1.4 million in cash. According to the City and earlier reports, the money was allegedly offered in exchange for help retaining municipal contracts and halting internal investigations. Police seized the cash, a cellphone and a vehicle during that operation.
Days later, the City said it had terminated all contracts held by Triple C Maintenance and Services. The City said the contracts were mostly construction-related and included road maintenance, resurfacing and stormwater infrastructure work. The municipality said the decision followed a joint investigation involving its Ethics and Forensics Department and SAPS.
For Capetonians, that places the current raids in a wider chain of events rather than a standalone police action. The investigation began with allegations around municipal contracts, moved through a controlled bribery operation, led to the termination of company contracts, and has now expanded into further search-and-seizure operations at City-linked premises.
The “who” in the story includes SAPS Commercial Crime investigators, the City of Cape Town, a former municipal contractor, municipal employees, private individuals and at least one mayoral committee member whose premises were reportedly searched. The “what” is an ongoing corruption and fraud investigation linked to municipal contracts. The “where” includes a City office and several residential properties across the metro. The “when” is the latest operation carried out on Thursday, following earlier developments in March and previous search operations in the broader probe.
The “why” centres on allegations of tender-related fraud and corruption involving public contracts. Police are investigating whether municipal processes were improperly influenced, whether any officials or private parties played a role, and whether evidence exists to support further charges. The “how” is through search-and-seizure warrants, forensic analysis of seized devices, and continued cooperation between law enforcement and municipal investigative structures where applicable.
The City’s own position has been that it acted firmly after the alleged bribery attempt. In its March statement, the municipality said it terminated Triple C contracts in the context of the ongoing City and SAPS investigation. EWN also reported that City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said alternative arrangements were being made to ensure service delivery continued while the affected contracts were replaced.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis previously praised Mbandazayo for his role in the sting operation, saying the City Manager had helped SAPS expose the alleged bribery attempt. The mayor also framed the operation as part of the City’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption.
The latest raid has also drawn political reaction. ActionSA Western Cape chairperson Dereleen James called for full transparency after reports that SAPS had raided the home and office of another City of Cape Town Mayco member as part of the ongoing investigation. The party said the matter required clarity because of the public interest attached to municipal contracts and political accountability.
That demand for transparency is likely to grow. The City of Cape Town has often presented itself as a municipality focused on clean governance, financial discipline and stronger service delivery. A police investigation linked to R1.6 billion in municipal contracts therefore raises difficult questions, even before any final legal outcome.
The key issue is not only whether criminal charges follow. It is also whether the City can show the public that contract management, internal controls, whistleblower systems and consequence management are strong enough to detect wrongdoing early and protect public money.
The matter also carries a direct service-delivery dimension. If the affected contracts included road maintenance, resurfacing and stormwater infrastructure, then Capetonians will want to know how the City keeps those services running while replacing or reviewing contracts linked to the investigation. That is especially important during winter, when road conditions, drainage systems and stormwater response already place pressure on municipal teams.
For now, the verified facts show that SAPS has taken further investigative action, devices have been seized, the investigation is ongoing, and the City’s earlier termination of contracts remains part of the wider context. What has not yet been established is whether the latest searches will lead to further arrests, charges or court proceedings.
Cape Town News will track the next steps, including any SAPS update on forensic findings, any City statement on internal consequence management, any court developments involving the former contractor, and whether further officials or private individuals are formally charged.
The public interest is clear. When police search municipal offices and homes linked to City officials in a corruption probe involving contracts worth about R1.6 billion, Capetonians deserve careful, verified reporting that separates allegation from fact, but does not downplay the seriousness of the investigation.
Q&A
What happened at the City of Cape Town?
SAPS Commercial Crime investigators carried out search-and-seizure operations at a City office and several residential properties linked to an ongoing corruption investigation involving municipal contracts.
Who was targeted in the search operation?
Reports say the searches included premises linked to a City of Cape Town Mayco member, municipal employees and private individuals. The search operation does not mean any person has been found guilty.
What did police seize?
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said 21 cellphones, nine laptops and other potential evidential material were seized for forensic investigation.
What is the R1.6 billion figure linked to?
The investigation is linked to alleged fraud and corruption involving City of Cape Town municipal contracts valued at about R1.6 billion.
How does Triple C Maintenance and Services fit into the story?
Triple C Maintenance and Services is a former City contractor linked to the broader investigation. The City cancelled all contracts with the company after an alleged bribery attempt involving City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo.
Has anyone been found guilty?
No verified source cited in this report confirms any finding of guilt linked to the latest searches. The matter remains an ongoing investigation, and any charges would have to be tested in court.
SAI Search Summary
SAPS Commercial Crime investigators have searched a City of Cape Town office and several homes linked to an ongoing fraud and corruption investigation involving municipal contracts valued at about R1.6 billion. The searches reportedly included premises linked to a mayoral committee member, municipal employees and private individuals. Police said 21 cellphones, nine laptops and other potential evidential material were seized for forensic analysis. The wider matter is linked to former City contractor Triple C Maintenance and Services, whose contracts were cancelled after an alleged R1.4 million bribery attempt involving City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo. The investigation is ongoing, and no finding of guilt has been made in relation to the latest searches.
Source: IOL / Cape Argus – Robin-Lee Francke; News24 – Marvin Charles; Nova News / TygerBurger – Staff Reporter; City of Cape Town – Media Office; EWN – Staff Reporter; ActionSA – Dereleen James.
