The People’s Movement for Change (PMC) has issued a powerful statement expressing serious concerns regarding the media's recent handling of allegations against Cape Town Mayoral Committee member Alderman JP Smith.
This comes on the heels of a dramatic raid conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the office of Alderman Xanthea Limberg on January 24, 2025, which has incited a flurry of speculations and accusations against Smith via various media outlets.
PMC said since the raid, Smith has faced an onslaught of accusations and conjecture propagated by various media outlets.
"The People's Movement for Change condemns in the strongest possible terms this trial by media. These narratives are often based on unsubstantiated claims and are devoid of verifiable evidence, serving only to mislead the public and tarnish reputations without due process.
"...Quick to judge, the media often bypasses the essential legal protections that every individual, including public servants, is entitled to," said the PMC spokesperson, Zandre Allen.
Allen said PMC supports the importance of holding public figures accountable, it is also crucial that journalism integrity is maintained, and that reporting is based on verified facts rather than hearsay.
"The PMC recognises the distinguished service that Alderman JP Smith has provided to his community and the nation. The undue stress caused by unfounded media speculation hampers the effective functioning of public representatives and undermines public trust in both media and legal institutions," added Allen.
Meanwhile, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said there was insufficient evidence at this stage to justify the removal of Smith and Limberg from the Cape Town Mayoral Committee.
Hill-Lewis said the revelation came after he met with the SAPS five days after the raid.
‘I requested a briefing from SAPS following the execution of a search warrant at the offices of two Mayoral Committee members on January 24, 2025. I met with SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thembisile Patekile, and two of his officials on January 29, who could not provide any indication of whether substantive evidence of wrongdoing exists," he said.
He added SAPS confirmed that the execution of a search warrant was in no way indicative of a crime.
"I have not been provided with any substantive evidence of alleged wrongdoing by either of the Mayco members in question. In the circumstances, and unless such substantive evidence is forthcoming, there is no basis to suspend either of them from the Mayoral Committee.
"I have further sought and since received a legal opinion from senior counsel affirming my view that this is the correct course of action in the current circumstance," he said.
He added that if substantive evidence of alleged wrongdoing eventually comes to light at any stage, he will assess what action is required to defend and uphold the integrity of the municipality.
‘Full co-operation is being provided by the MayCo members to aid SAPS in their inquiry, as confirmed to me by both SAPS and Aldermen Smith and Limberg. Their co-operation has been offered at all times, even prior to the search," he added.
Questions have also been asked regarding Hill-Lewis’ handling of this case compared to how quickly he acted to remove Malusi Booi after his office was raided. Booi was suspended the next day as the investigation continued. He was then fired from Council eight days later.
Regarding that matter, Hill-Lewis said there's a crucial difference between the two matters as Booi's matter has since proceeded to trial.
‘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,’' he added.
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