Melikhaya Zagagana31 January 2025 | 7:35

COSATU accuses Hill-Lewis of treating probe on CoCT's Smith, Limberg differently

Hundreds of opposition party members demonstrated outside the city's Civic Centre on Thursday, demanding immediate removal of Smith and Limberg from office.

COSATU accuses Hill-Lewis of treating probe on CoCT's Smith, Limberg differently

FILE: Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Picture: Supplied

CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has accused Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, of treating the investigation on JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg differently.
 
Hundreds of opposition party members demonstrated outside the city's Civic Centre on Thursday, demanding immediate removal of Smith and Limberg from office.

ALSO READ: 

- Opposition party members call on Hill-Lewis to protect integrity of CoCT's council by removing Smith, Limberg

- No basis to show Smith and Limberg the door, reiterates Hill-Lewis

- DA’s Zille requests Hill-Lewis be given chance to deal with CoCT's Smith, Limberg matter

This followed a raid conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crimes Unit at the offices of both Smith and Limberg on Friday last week.

Police indicated the raid was part of a forensic investigation for a case of tender fraud in the construction sector that's already before the courts.
 
According to the trade union federation, former MMC for Human Settlements Malusi Booi was suspended from office soon after police raided his office.
 
COSATU said there was no evidence presented to the mayor by police before suspending Booi.
 
It has now threatened to engage its partners, including opposition parties, to intensify the call for Hill-Lewis to suspend Limberg and JP Smith from office.
 
Speaking outside the city's Civic Centre on Thursday, COSATU provincial secretary Malvern De Bruyn said no official should occupy public office while under investigation.
 
"COSATU got a word about what the mayor said last night that he's met with the police, and police informed him that there's no evidence. We are of the view, yes you are still investigating, we fully agree, but do the right thing to protect the integrity of this house."

Meanwhile, Geordon Hill-Lewis has maintained that he will only be able to act if he is provided with evidence incriminating the two Mayco members.