The South African Police Service Commercial Crime Investigation Unit says it conducted further search-and-seizure operations on Thursday morning as part of an ongoing investigation involving a former contractor of the City of Cape Town, Triple C Maintenance and Services.
Acting on search and seizure warrants, investigators descended on multiple residential properties as well as a City of Cape Town office.
During the operation, 21 cellular telephones and nine laptops were seized for forensic investigation, together with other potential evidence relevant to the case.
The addresses searched included those of a Mayoral Committee Member of the City of Cape Town, several municipal employees, and private individuals linked to the investigation.
Police say the investigation extends beyond the municipal environment and forms part of a broader probe into alleged fraud, corruption and related offences.
It follows a sting operation that led to the arrest of the owner of the company, Shaun Roos, after he allegedly handed over a substantial amount in cash to the City Manager as a bribe. The payment was allegedly offered in exchange for assistance in retaining Triple C’s contracts with the City.
In a statement, the SAPS says the progress made thus far “reinforces the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in uncovering and addressing complex collusive fraud and corruption schemes involving both public officials and private individuals.”
No arrests were made during Thursday’s operations, and police say further action will be guided by the evidence gathered and the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The City of Cape Town says it continues to support this investigation, which has been ongoing for more than a year.
The City confirmed in a statement that three City officials and Mayoral Committee Member Siseko Mbandezi were involved in this morning’s operations.
“The Mayor has not received any indication from SAPS that the search and seizure relates to wrongdoing of the MayCo member directly, rather than ongoing evidence building for the trial of the contractor and others.”
In March, the City Manager worked with SAPS in a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of Roos.
The City further took decisive action to terminate all contracts held by Triple C Maintenance and Services.
“Consistent with the City’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption, the City will fully support SAPS’s efforts to complete its investigation.”
