Cape Town - No arrests have been made in connection with the murder of a construction boss who was gunned down in Beacon Valley, just days after being released on R250000 bail.
Abdul Kader Davids, who was facing corruption charges alongside former DA mayco member Malusi Booi, died in a hail of bullets on Thursday night while walking in Ascot Street at around 9pm.
Davids, who was outed in an investigation by the City of Cape Town into tender collusion with Nicole Johnson, the wife of alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, subsequently appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court where he was charged alongside Booi in a tender corruption case worth a staggering R1billion.
The sole director of ZSM Developers came under scrutiny in July when city manager Lungelo Mbandazayo revealed that Davids allegedly colluded with Johnson and Mohammed Amod of the Boon Group when applying for City tenders.
A handwriting expert was brought in to investigate Mbandazayo’s suspicions that all three tender bids were completed by the same person.
It is understood that by colluding, the three directors would ensure that regardless of who the tender was awarded to, Johnson would be in control.
The investigation also found that the tender application of ZSM, which was competing with Johnson’s company, was in fact also signed by her mother, Barbara Johnson.
Davids, who lived in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, told the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court that he was merely a cleaner.
However, legal letters written to Davids by Mbandazayo showed he was informed of the investigation findings into alleged tender collusion, and had been reported to the SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit. Davids was granted bail of R250000 last week, despite telling the magistrate that he was a cleaner and could only afford R2 500.
A source said Davids was walking when he came under attack by gunmen. “When police arrived on the scene they found that he had been shot five times.
“They found him covered in blood and found five cartridges on the scene.
“According to the neighbours, they heard gunshots and when they looked outside they saw him. The cops spoke to his girlfriend, who said he was not a gang member,” the source said.
His death sparked rumours over the weekend that Davids had considered becoming a State witness.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed that the case was being investigated by the Anti-Gang Unit and said no arrests had been made yet.
“Preliminary reports suggest that unknown gunmen opened fire on the victim, who was declared deceased by medical personnel who attended to the scene. The motive for this murder is now the subject of an investigation by the SAPS.
“No arrests have been made yet. We appeal to anyone with information regarding this murder to contact Crime Stop on 0860010111 or by using the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.”
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus