Roos flips the script alleging City Manager bribed him instead
Businessman Shaun Roos, 56, at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, facing serious bribery allegations.
Image: Supplied
Businessman Shaun Roos, 56, returned to the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday for his bail application. His lawyer, William Booth, dropped bombshells during the application.
Roos allegedly attempted to influence the outcome of an investigation linked to municipal contracts worth about R1.6 billion that had been awarded to his company, Triple C Maintenance and Services.
The accused allegedly attempted to bribe City manager Lungelo Mbandazayo with R4 million in a bid to influence tender outcomes and halt investigations into his company.
The State claims the payment formed part of a broader pattern of gratification totalling around R30 million, allegedly channelled through third-party accounts between October 2023 and December 2024.
However, in court papers, the accused denied any wrongdoing, insisting the tender awarded to his company was legitimate and that services were duly delivered.
The businessman told the court that his troubles began in October 2022 when a woman claiming to be a relative entered his business and gained access to its finances.
He alleges she later stole approximately R49 million from the company and, after her arrest in June 2025, falsely implicated him in corruption to divert attention from her own crimes.
According to the accused, the claims led to what he describes as an “entrapment” operation involving the City manager and a consultant.
He further alleged that the situation escalated after his legal team engaged the City over outstanding payments, claiming the municipality owed his company between R25 million and R30 million, with delays placing severe strain on the business.
Court documents stated: “The case against me with regard to the alleged charges is based solely on a trap. I submit that I was, in fact, entrapped by the City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo and a specialised business and legal consultant.
“I believe that this was initiated by the lady who was in “cahoots” with Mbandazayo.”
It was during this time, he said, that a consultant offered to arrange a meeting with Mbandazayo to resolve the payment issues. The meeting, held at Table Bay Mall, was later used as part of the State’s case.
City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo, implicated in a bribery scandal involving businessman Shaun Roos.
Image: File
The accused claims he attended the meeting out of desperation to stabilise his company’s cash flow, maintaining that he was the one being extorted.
The court heard: “It was in fact he who was extorting from me, not the other way around. The whole entrapment was arranged by Mbandazayo with the lady’s involvement, including the consultant.”
The State, however, rejected this version, arguing that the meeting was recorded and shows the accused requesting assistance to retain contracts and halt investigations, while offering millions in return.
The State further told the court that the accused poses a risk if released on bail, citing concerns that he may interfere with witnesses and pointing to his access to more than 35 bank accounts.
The matter continues on Wednesday.