Cape Town - Rolex watches worth R2 million and a further R2.5m in hard cash is what former City of Cape Town Mayco member Malusi Booi allegedly received from alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield in exchange for government tenders worth a whopping R850m.
This was revealed as Booi and nine others made their first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, after their arrest on various charges linked to alleged tender fraud this week.
Booi, who was removed from his position as Mayco member for human settlements, is accused of colluding with Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson to award tenders to companies linked to the notorious couple.
According to the charge sheet, Booi is accused of being a member of the Ralph Stanfield and Nicole Johnson Enterprise, and is also charged with racketeering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
He appeared alongside Suraya Manual, Thuli Imgib, Abdul Kader Davids, Mohammed Amod, his ex-girlfriend Lorna Ndoda, ex-wife Nomvuyo Mnyaka, Brenda and Randall Mullins and Siphokazi September.
During court proceedings, chuckles were heard when it was noted that his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend were seated next to each other in the dock.
Booi’s legal team also lost an application to prevent him from being photographed by the media in court.
In his address, State prosecutor advocate Nathan Adriaanse said they had a strong case against the group, saying bank statements would prove the collusion.
He told the court that the 47-year-old Booi, who formerly led the major City portfolio, allegedly received R2.5m in cash for his role, coupled with various gifts including Rolex watches worth R2m, from the Stanfields.
His ex-wife allegedly received a Rolex watch worth R690 000 from the Stanfields, and R20 000 cash.
Adriaanse also revealed that Davids, who was exposed by the Cape Argus earlier this year for alleged tender collusion, was named the director of a construction company that was allegedly hijacked by Manual with the aid of the Stanfields.
The company, that may not be named, was at the centre of an investigation by city manager Lungelo Mbandazayo.
Manual, who worked for Glomixx CC, was arrested earlier this year alongside Stanfield’s younger brother, Kyle, for allegedly defeating the ends of justice by trying to destroy company documents.
She was later released on R10000 bail.
It was also revealed that Amod was the director of a Gauteng-based company which colluded with Davids and Glomixx.
They were caught when a handwriting expert revealed that all three rival bidders had their tender applications completed by the same person.
Adriaanse told the court the investigation into 11 tenders showed a staggering R850m was awarded to dodgy companies allegedly aided by Booi.
As bail amounts were proposed yesterday, gasps were heard when it was revealed that couple Randall and Brenda Mullins had a whopping R20m in a bank account.
The State has also charged former Director of Public Housing, Sipokazi September, with corruption just months after she was axed by the municipality. The accused, who has formerly denied being part of the construction mafia, landed in hot water when police obtained a warrant to seize all her electronic equipment on the same day Booi’s offices at the Civic Centre were raided.
A search warrant in possession of the Cape Argus shows the names of Booi and September alongside Stanfield, Johnson and Jerome “Donkie” Booysen.
The State has not opposed the release of the group pending the trial, but has called on the court to set bail at R200 000 for Booi.
The case has been postponed to tomorrow, when Stanfield and Johnson are expected to be added to the charge sheet.
Outside court, National Coloured Congress president Fadiel Adams said he warned Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis that Booi and others would be arrested.
ANC regional spokesperson Akhona Jonginamba said Booi’s arrest reinforced their long-held belief that the DA-led City of Cape Town was “being governed by criminals”.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) chief whip in the City, Cheslyn Steenberg, said they would monitor the court proceedings.
“The Patriotic Alliance welcomes the arrest of those implicated in corrupt activities that prejudiced the delivery of homes to the most vulnerable in Cape Town. Further to this, our party leader, Gayton McKenzie, exclaimed that the PA will not stay silent on matters of corruption, extortion and fraud. It is wrong and goes against the very grain of the fibre of the PA,” Steenberg said.
In a response to the court case, the City of Cape Town said: “The City notes the arrests, has long been supporting the SAPS investigation, and will monitor court proceedings.”
Cape Argus