Cape Town City Manager leads sting operation to expose R1.4 million bribery scheme
As Cape Town battles corruption within its municipal ranks, a recent sting operation reveals the deep-rooted issues plaguing the system, but also shines a light on the bravery of those combating the scourge, with hopes for justice and accountability looming on the horizon.
Image: FILE
In a dramatic turn of events amid ongoing investigations into tender fraud, City of Cape Town Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo has been lauded for his bravery after leading a sting operation that exposed a R1.4 million rand bribery attempt
The meticulous operation, conducted on Tuesday, has led to the arrest of a key suspect while reinforcing the city’s commitment to zero tolerance against corruption.
The suspect is expected to make his first appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Police revealed that the investigation dates back to March 2025, sparked by a whistleblower's disclosures about collusion between municipal employees and service providers, which undermined the integrity of public contracts.
The City of Cape Town’s Ethics and Forensic Services, in collaboration with the South African Police Service’s Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit (CCI), commenced a thorough probe that aims to root out corruption within the municipality.
On the day of the sting, March 3, at Waterstone Village in Somerset West, Mbandazayo, under the watchful eyes of law enforcement, and facing significant personal risk, acted as an agent of the operation and confronted the suspect, who handed over R1.4 million in cash.
The CCI officers swiftly intervened, seizing the cash, a mobile device, and a Toyota bakkie. The 51-year-old suspect was arrested on the spot and is set to face corruption charges.
The sting operation on Tuesday succeeded a prior Section 252A operation on February 26 at the Table Bay Mall, Sunningdale, where the company director attempted to bribe the City Manager with R4 million and committed to an initial R2 million in cash.
On February 27, the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the continuation of the controlled operation, with the City Manager acting as authorised agent for the successful sting operation in Somerset West on March 3.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis praised Mbandazayo for lawfully assuming the risks associated with the undercover operation.
"I commend the bravery shown by our City Manager, who played a central role in a SAPS sting operation yesterday by posing as the key figure to attract the suspects to the scene," Hill-Lewis said.
"This is another demonstration of the extraordinary leadership that characterises our City’s daily pursuit of good governance and zero tolerance approach to those seeking illicit benefit from this government.
He further noted that the recent arrest will be a catalyst for further investigations and potential arrests of accomplices involved in these corrupt practices.
It further stated that the latest arrest is the culmination of a joint investigative process which began in March 2025 following a whistleblower’s tip-off. Due to the scope and seriousness of the allegations, the investigation was conducted jointly by the City’s Ethics and Forensics Services Department and SAPS Commercial Crimes (CCI), Western Cape.
Brigadier Novela Potelwa, spokesperson for the police said the City had been instrumental in the investigation: "In February, an undercover operation unfolded wherein the owner of a company contracted to the Municipality to undertake maintenance work on municipal infrastructure allegedly requested the senior municipal official to halt internal investigations in exchange for a multimillion rand gratification.
"On March 3, the undercover operation unfolded with the municipal official as an agent where at Watercress Mall in Somerset West an amount of R 1. 4 million, a vehicle and cellphone were seized by CCI members. Subsequently a 51 year old suspect was henceforth arrested.
"With the investigation gaining momentum, more arrests are on the cards.
Western Cape SAPS management is commending the bravery and uprightness of the municipal official.
"A word of appreciation is also extended to the City of Cape Town municipality’s investigation team and the SAPS Commercial Crimes Investigation members for ensuring that the perpetrator is brought before a court of law."
Last year, the City of Cape Town clarified that the R1.6 billion value of contracts, cited by police, is not money lost but part of an ongoing investigation following a major intelligence-driven seizure operation at 26 addresses across the metro.
The operation, reportedly stemming from a whistleblower, prompted calls from politicians and whistleblowers for an independent audit and an SIU investigation.
Earlier, Police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut stated the intervention followed whistleblower information and preliminary investigations by both the City and SAPS.