Smith, Limberg fraud matter: WC Legislature opposition parties claim disappointment in Patekile
The ANC, EFF, GOOD Party, the FF Plus, and PA said Patekile was meant to meet them to clarify the recent raids on the City of Cape Town offices of MMCs JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg.
FILE: Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Opposition parties in the Western Cape Legislature claim they're disappointed in the provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile.
The African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), GOOD Party, the Freedom Front (FF) Plus, and Patriotic Alliance (PA) said Patekile was meant to meet them to clarify the recent raids on the City of Cape Town offices of MMCs JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg.
ALSO READ:
- 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
Police have confirmed that their raids have to do with their investigations into the tender fraud corruption case that the city's previous Housing MMC has been appearing in court for.
The provincial legislature's opposition benches said it's vital for Patekile to clarify the alleged leaked audio of South African Police Service (SAPS) members and senior politicians plotting to remove Smith and Limberg from office.
Smith, sometimes referred to as the Sheriff of Cape Town, claimed the raid was part of a smear campaign to tarnish his reputation and career.
But according to the opposition, Patekile has since written a letter that he will not be able to attend the meeting due to the case's sensitive nature.
ANC provincial spokesperson and member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Khalid Sayed asked in what capacity the SAPS briefed Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis about the investigations on Smith and Limberg.
"SAPS had no issues briefing the Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, a member of the DA [Democratic Alliance] on the actual details of the investigation. The allegations made by councillor Smith and [Helen] Zille raise serious questions about the integrity of the investigation."
Meanwhile, the mayor insisted that there's no substantive police evidence currently implicating Smith and Limberg of wrongdoing.