Charges against Cape Town officials linked to gangs withdrawn, response pending
The City of Cape Town said it will respond to the withdrawal of charges against former officials, including Malusi Booi, linked to a significant tender fraud case.
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The City of Cape Town is under pressure following the provisional withdrawal of commercial charges against several individuals, including a former staff member and ex-Mayco Member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi, and alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced on Friday that the charges were withdrawn pending the finalisation of an investigation based on newfound evidence.
In a statement to the Cape Argus, the City confirmed it would respond to the developments in due course, if applicable. Political parties in the Western Cape have expressed their concerns, demanding transparency and accountability from city officials.
Eric Ntabazalila of the NPA con-firmed that Advocate Nicollette Bell, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, had provisionally withdrawn the charges against Stanfield, his wife Nicole Johnson, Booi, and nine others.
“The State will reinstate the charges once the investigation has been finalised,” Ntabazalila stated. The accused, including Suraya Manuel, Muhammed Amod, and others, are also linked to serious gang-related offences, including contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
The court has postponed the case against the remaining accused until July 14, to ensure that the State provides all necessary particulars to the defence before the case is transferred to the High Court for a pretrial conference on November 7.
Brett Herron, Secretary-General of GOOD and Member of the Western Cape Parliament, expressed disappointment at the State's decision. “The National Director of Public Prosecutions must explain why the NPA appears ill-equipped to pursue complex prosecutions involving politicians and public officials allegedly linked to organised crime. The residents of Cape Town deserve justice, not delays or deals behind closed doors,” he said.
Herron further emphasised the need for accountability, stating, “This development does nothing to bring closure to the people of Cape Town, who deserve to know the truth about the City's alleged entanglement with gangsters and criminal syndicates.”
Booi told the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, Daily Voice: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my 84-year-old mother, my ancestors, my partner, my entire family, friends, Nitta & crew, Manxasana & crew for their unwavering support & belief in my innocence!"
Cape Argus