Former Human Settlements MMC Malusi Booi and nine co-accused have made their first court appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

They face 15 charges, including several counts of corruption, racketeering, intimidation, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit fraud.

It’s alleged Booi followed the orders of underworld figures including the alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield who reportedly paid him money in exchange for illegally obtaining City of Cape Town’s housing tenders.

The suspects, which includes Booi’s former girlfriend and ex-wife, were arrested in 3 different provinces earlier this week and were transported to the Mother City to appear in the dock.

READ MORE: Eight arrested in CoCT housing fraud and corruption case

Following their court appearance on Wednesday, the State said it would not oppose bail for Booi and his co-accused. Their bail hearings will continue on Friday.

The State argued bail should be set at R200 000 for Booi and all should have strict bail conditions.

The State’s case is that Booi and others allegedly accepted cash and other gratifications from Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson, so that their company, Glomix House Brokers, of which Johnson is the director, could unlawfully receive lucrative City of Cape Town housing construction tenders.

Prosecutor Nathan Adriaanse told the court Booi allegedly received R2,5 million in cash for his role in the collusion scheme, as well as various gifts including Rolex watches worth R2 million.

The fraudulent tenders involved in the scheme allegedly amounted to R850 million.

Stanfield and Johnson are expected to be added to the charge sheet during proceedings on Friday. They are facing dozens of other charges relating to their unlawful enterprise.

The City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements MMC Carl Pophaim has welcomed the police’s breakthrough arrests linked to maladministration within his directorate.