SAPS encourages Smith to come forward with evidence of ‘smear campaign’ ahead of raid

Editor’s note:

EWN reported that Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile challenged Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, to provide evidence that he was briefed by SAPS  (South African Police Service) investigators regarding the recent raid at the city’s offices.

This is incorrect.

CONTEXT: CoCT's Hill-Lewis urged to provide evidence of being briefed by SAPS on Smith, Limberg raids

The raid took place on Friday 24 January and Hill-Lewis released a statement on 29 January referring to a SAPS briefing, after the raid had been conducted.

Responding to calls for MMCs JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg’s suspensions, Hill-Lewis told opposition party protesters that he had not seen sufficient evidence to warrant removing them from office.

On the day of the raid, Smith released a media statement saying he had received what he called reliable information of a plot against him by “senior politicians, a private security company and possibly members of SAPS.”

Patekile was questioned at the weekend about Smith’s allegations and responded by saying: "We only tell you when we charge you that now these are the allegations against you, these are the cases preferring against you. But when we search you, you have not been charged."

"Only after the fact, if there's a possible prima facie case, then we charge you. Then we inform you legally that you are officially now charged."

"What we want is people to come up and substantiate and support that allegation with evidence. We are waiting to follow that one up but as far as the investigation is concerned, it’s an investigation and it’s continuing, we are not going to be commenting about it," Patekile added.

Patekile was visiting the scene of a mass shooting this weekend in Philippi East, where five people died.