Latest news with #Booi
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
I'm a victim of witch hunt, says ex-city housing boss
Former human settlements mayco member Malusi Booi. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers FORMER human settlements mayco member Malusi Booi has implicated two senior City officials in what he described as a witch hunt leading to his arrest over tender collusion charges, which the National Prosecuting Authority subsequently withdrew on Friday. Booi was arrested last year, one year after his offices were raided and his electronic equipment seized. The charges against him related to alleged tender collusion linked to construction companies owned by alleged underworld figures such as Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson. In an exclusive interview with the Cape Times yesterday, Booi spoke of what he believed led to his arrest, his time as the mayoral committee member and his future in politics. 'I do think it was (a political witch hunt), it has been confirmed on a number of platforms because in the first place there was no R1 billion tender fraud. Even if something happened at the supply chain, I don't have any control on who gets to be appointed or not being appointed. I've got no role in appointing contractors. I was viewed as someone who awarded a contract to a contractor, the people who did that knew very well that it does not exist because that is purely administrative, it is done by City officials. It is not done by politicians, our role is purely oversight. We meet contractors that had already been appointed on site. "The company in question was never appointed by the City, they were appointed by the provincial government in 2014. I was not even working for the City at the time, so there was no way I could have championed the appointment. I joined in 2016, appointed as sub council chairperson for subcouncil 21. I only joined human settlements in December 2018. It was four years later that the company was appointed. I was taken aback when I was accused of facilitating this appointment," he said. Upon his own investigations, Booi said he learned that the tenders in question were even cancelled before they were awarded. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'There was a narrative created that the City lost a billion when they knew the City never lost a cent. There was no money taken but the impression created was that Malusi ran away with a R1billion, I mean, it's not possible. No money lost by the City. During my tenure we achieved 99.3% of delivery. So I was shocked to understand that all of a sudden there are these issues.' He said he knew who was behind the orchestrated move against him. He said one of the officials had made statements saying he was the one who gave police information about Booi, while another made remarks in a CCMA case that 'he wanted to deal with me harshly'. Asked why he would be the target of these attacks, Booi said he was not in favour and did not support the re-appointment of one of the officials. 'A lot of things were not going right under his watch, a lot of service delivery issues.' Booi said the entire saga had been draining both psychologically and physically. 'It took a (huge) toll on my family but I am relieved now all these charges have been dropped so that one can continue with life. From day one, when they came to the office, it has always been a very difficult moment but I've tried to remain calm under the situation. I lost my job that I enjoyed doing the most. It's been very stressful.' Booi said he would not be considering returning to the City given the opportunity to do so. He plans to settle in the Eastern Cape where he wants to focus on a family-run farming business.
Daily Maverick
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
‘New evidence' — stalled R1bn Malusi Booi and Ralph Stanfield tender fraud case still on track
The DA's former Cape Town mayoral committee member Malusi Booi is not necessarily in the clear. This comes after the provisional dropping of charges linked to allegations of unlawfully awarded R1bn in contracts, against him and suspected 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield. Former City of Cape Town DA human settlements mayoral committee member Malusi Booi took to social media a few days ago and thanked several people for believing in his 'innocence' after commercial crime charges against him were provisionally withdrawn. But Booi and his co-accused, including suspected 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, have not been acquitted or officially cleared of the charges. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have made it clear that new evidence, which is being investigated, necessitated the provisional withdrawal. This means that the charges can still be reinstated and that the new evidence may produce more criminal accusations or a bolstered case. Politics and policing Investigations into issues linked to Booi and Stanfield have become highly controversial – and political – and have led to accusations about what has been motivating police to act. The City of Cape Town is DA-run while the SAPS is viewed as an ANC remit, so the overall situation creates the impression that tensions between the two parties are at play. This weekend, Booi took to social media and effectively said he was the target of a smear campaign, much like Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith's insistence after a raid on his office earlier this year that has been linked to issues involving Stanfield. While there have been smear campaign insinuations and while no one in the matter has been found guilty in a court, City of Cape Town officials have acknowledged dodgy dealings relating to its human settlements arena. Carl Pophaim, who replaced Booi as Cape Town Mayco member for human settlements, previously told journalists that various investigations were focused on 'part of this one singular thing, an attempt to capture human settlements and construction in Cape Town'. Merged, then provisionally dropped Booi and nine others were accused of being involved in a tenders-for-cash enterprise, which the State has alleged was headed by Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson. The tenders flagged in the case were allegedly worth more than R1-billion. Booi faced allegations that he accepted gratification from Stanfield and, in exchange, used his influence over tenders. Aside from those commercial crime charges, Stanfield, Johnson and several others also face other criminal accusations. Stanfield, for example, faces accusations that he was involved in the 2019 assassination of then Hard Livings gang boss Rashied Staggie. Other charges against Stanfield and Johnson's co-accused in this case relate to the 2023 murder of City of Cape Town staff member Wendy Kloppers, who was shot at a housing development site in Delft. She was killed, apparently because she had refused to give in to gangsters demanding contractors' work. The commercial crime case, in which Booi was the main accused, had been merged with the criminal case in which Stanfield and Johnson were the key accused. But on Friday, 23 May 2025, the tender-related commercial crime charges were provisionally withdrawn against Booi, Stanfield, Johnson and nine others. While Stanfield, Johnson and several others remain in custody because of the criminal charges they face in the case set to resume in July, Booi, who was previously released on bail, no longer faces formal accusations. 'Purpose was to destroy me' After the charges were provisionally dropped on Friday, Booi left the Cape Town Magistrates' Court and told journalists he was 'relieved' and was headed home 'to start a new life'. Booi also took to the social media platform X that day to further express himself. NEWS JUST IN [WATCH] Fraud related charges against former City of Cape Town Human Settlements MMC Malusi Booi and nine others have been withdrawn. They relate to a billion rand housing tender fraud within the city's human settlements directorate @NtuthuzeloNene — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 23, 2025 He posted: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank my 84-year-old mother, my ancestors, my partner, my entire family, friends, Nitta & crew, Manxasana & crew for their unwavering support & belief in my innocence! 'Thanks to the Nkomo Foundation. I maintain my innocence.' Days later, on Sunday, 25 May, Booi took to X again, implying that he was the victim of a smear campaign. 'Just for the record! There was never a R1bn tender fraud City of Cape Town never lost a cent,' Booi's post said. 'There is no site or awarded tenders Why AG never picked it up or internal audit The purpose was to destroy me and tarnish my reputation! I pray a living God.' Just for the record! There was never a R1bn tender fraud City of Cape Town never lost a cent There is no site or awarded tenders Why AG never picked it up or internal audit The purpose was to destroy me and tarnish my reputation! I pray a living God🙏 — Malusi Booi (@MalusiBooi) May 25, 2025 While Booi is 'relieved' at the withdrawal of charges, the NPA and SAPS have reiterated that it does not mean the case has ended or been derailed. According to them, key information has been uncovered. Fresh evidence The Western Cape's NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila explained that the commercial crime charges had been provisionally withdrawn against Booi, Stanfield, Johnson and nine co-accused 'pending the finalisation of an investigation on newfound evidence against them'. 'Police discovered new evidence during their investigation, and it is apposite at this stage to provisionally withdraw the 16 commercial charges against the accused pending the finalisation of the investigation stemming from the newfound evidence. 'The State will reinstate the charges once the investigation has been finalised.' Police in the Western Cape released a statement on the saga. Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the case 'is still on course despite the provisional withdrawal of commercial charges'. Charges can be reinstated She said it was not uncommon for the direction of a complex investigation to change, based on new information.'It is envisaged that the commercial charges provisionally withdrawn will be reinstated in due course,' Potelwa said. 'The Western Cape SAPS feels compelled to give assurance that the decision [to provisionally withdraw the commercial charges] is by no means an indication of failure on the part of investigators.' There is no indication of what the new evidence is. Booi was arrested in September last year, several months after his City of Cape Town office was raided in March 2023. He has also been fired. Earlier this year, another raid, which according to police was also linked to the whole Stanfield saga, kicked up even more controversy for the City of Cape Town. SAPS and the City On 24 January, police raided JP Smith's office and that of mayoral committee member Xanthea Limberg, who heads the city's energy portfolio. Unlike what happened to Booi, Smith and Limberg were not suspended. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said there was insufficient evidence to warrant suspensions. Smith has insisted that he is the target of a smear campaign and that the raid had been conducted to tarnish his name. Earlier this month, Smith announced that he was taking legal action against the SAPS. He said he had lodged an application in the Western Cape High Court because 'immediately after the searches I was advised that the warrants which contain numerous falsehoods, errors and critical omissions are unlawful and should be legally challenged'. Smith said: 'The media frenzy and reputational harm resulting from the search on my office should never have been permitted. 'The allegations against me are false and there is abundant evidence in the public domain of my continued actions to do the exact opposite of which I am accused by SAPS, including the continuous taking action to remove compromised and corrupt individuals from the city'. As if underscoring what Smith said about action against staffers, the SAPS announced last week that two City of Cape Town law enforcement officers had been arrested on charges of kidnapping and extortion. Smith had issued a statement saying the city's Safety and Security Investigations Unit had launched an internal investigation, which led to the arrests. Beyond smear claims – murder and red flags In the Stanfield-linked saga, both Booi and Smith's official offices were raided, and both have since separately said they are the targets of smear campaigns. On Sunday, a part of Booi's post on X said: 'The purpose was to destroy me and tarnish my reputation!' As for Smith, earlier this month, in the statement on the legal action he launched against the SAPS, he said that he had been told the purpose of the campaign against him was to 'destroy my reputation'. There are highly concerning aspects of the now provisionally withdrawn commercial crime charges and to the city's human settlement remit. City manager Lungelo Mbandazayo previously told IOL that an investigation 'saw some of the officials from the human settlements department being suspended and others are attending disciplinary hearings. 'They were even tailor-making tenders before they went out, so those same companies could easily apply and be granted those tenders. They (the gangsters) don't operate in isolation. 'They exist because internally, there are people helping them. When you look at any criminal activity that is thriving, it's because people are conniving.' Serious dangers are associated with this arena. One of Booi's co-accused, who previously faced charges alongside him, was Abdul Kader Davids. On 20 September 2024, two days after being released from custody on R250,000 bail in that case, Davids was fatally shot in the Cape Town suburb of Mitchells Plain. DM
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- The Citizen
Parolee with two names identified after allegedly raping nine-year-old
The accused had been out on parole after serving over 15 years in Voorberg Correctional Centre under the surname Booi. A man accused of raping a nine-year-old in Hanover Park made his second appearance in court on Friday. The 51-year-old had caused confusion following his arrest earlier this month as he had recently been released from prison where he went by a different name. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have since clarified the man's identity, with a civil rights non-profit stressing the need for the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO) to be made public. Williams or Booi Igshaan Williams was arrested earlier in May, just six months after being released on parole in November. At his first court appearance on 16 May, the man identified himself as Williams, but DCS have confirmed that he served over 15 years in prison under a different name. 'DCS records identify him as Isaac Booi. Community Corrections officials have since verified his identity and confirmed that he is indeed a parolee currently under the supervision of the Cape Town Community Corrections office,' stated the department. Booi was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2008 for rape and indecent assault, and was due to serve parole until 2044. 'These developments are gravely concerning. The department has launched an internal investigation to review and assess the effectiveness of monitoring measures applied during his parole period,' the department stated. R20 to buy milk Booi is now accused of raping a nine-year-old who went missing while walking to school on 13 May. The accused is alleged to have lured the girl by offering her R20 to buy him milk and return the item to his house. A community search party found the girl at Booi's residence, where she is believed to have spent at least five hours. 'His case has been postponed until 25 July for further investigation. His parole has been revoked, meaning he will not apply for bail. At the next appearance, he will appear on Audio Visual Remand,' confirmed Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila. 'Make the NRSO public' Action Society stated the need to revisit the parole system and make the NRSO public 'We have a serious problem in this country with parolees being released back into communities only to victimise more women and children,' said Action Society spokesperson Kaylynnn Palm. 'Situations like this can be prevented in the future if we make the NRSO public. If we know the people living in our midst, we can be more vigilant and protect our loved ones,' Palm concluded. NOW READ: How big is the national sex offenders list? Maimane's Bosa says it could reach over 40,000
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ex-DA councillor Malusi Booi's corruption charges withdrawn
Booi has all the way through maintained his innocence. Former City of Cape Town housing MMC Malusi Booi in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. Picture: Gallo Images Former City of Cape Town human settlements MMC Malusi Booi and his co-accused have received a temporary reprieve after the charges against them were withdrawn. The former DA councillor returned to the dock in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court alongside his former wife, Nomvuyo Mnyaka, ex-girlfriend Lorna Ndoda, former public housing director Siphokazi September, Mohammed Amod, Randall Mullins, Suraya Manual, Brenda Mullins and Thuli Imgibi. ALSO READ: Parties boycott City of Cape Town council meeting as mayor defends JP Smith Also among the accused were alleged 28s gang leader Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson. The group had faced a slew of serious charges including fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering. These charges stemmed from allegations involving eight City of Cape Town housing contracts valued at over R1 billion, allegedly awarded unlawfully to companies connected to Stanfield and Johnson. Charges withdrawn against Malusi Booi and co-accused After being granted bail last year, the state informed the magistrate on Friday that it would be provisionally withdrawing charges against Booi, Stanfield, Johnson and nine others. Booi, speaking to the media outside court, expressed his relief at the outcome. 'I am relieved because I've maintained my innocence throughout. I want to thank my 84-year-old mother, my family, my partner who have supported me unwaveringly and also my friends who have been there for me from day one who believed in my innocence so I'm very thankful to them,' he said. READ MORE: Zille says Cape Town mayor to look at evidence before deciding to suspend officials after raids Booi said he would go home to 'start my new life'. 'I'll continue doing my farming and other prospects that I can be able to get into, but nothing is much lost.' He bemoaned that the corruption case had casted a long shadow over his life. 'This has always put the cloud on top of my head and I'm happy today that that has all been cleared. I continue to maintain my innocence.' Regarding possible legal action against the state, Booi said: 'We'll have an engagement with my legal team. So post that process, we'll be able to make a determination, but not at this point.' I would like to take this opportunity to thank my 84 year old mother, my ancestors, my partner, my entire family, friends, Nitta & crew, Manxasana & crew for their unwavering support & belief in my innocence! Thanks to the Nkomo Foundation 🙏 I maintain my innocence 🙏 — Malusi Booi (@MalusiBooi) May 23, 2025 NPA to reinstate charges National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila warned that the provisional withdrawal of charges does not equate to an acquittal. 'The charges that were provisionally withdrawn are related to the 16 commercial charges that include fraud, corruption and money laundering,' he said. However, Stanfield and Johnson will remain behind bars as they face separate criminal charges, including a 2023 arrest related to vehicle theft. READ MORE: 'Political hit-squad' behind police raid, says JP Smith 'The rest of the charges that are related to Poca [Proceeds of Crime Act] as well as murders will still continue against Mr Stanfield, his wife and the other accused,' Ntabazalila told reporters in Cape Town. He also elaborated on the decision to withdraw the charges. 'The reason we withdrew those charges was because while we were getting ready to get the matter transferred to the high court, there was new evidence that was uncovered by the police while they were doing their investigation.' Investigation continues Ntabazalila said instead of requesting further postponements, the NPA opted to withdraw the charges to allow for the completion of the ongoing investigation. 'Once that investigation is finalised, those charges will be reinstated against those accused and they will be joined into the docket taking the matter to the high court.' He added: 'We didn't want to prejudice the accused because imagine if we continue with the investigation and it takes longer [than expected] while they remain in custody, it will be wrong and unfair to them.' One of the accused, Abdul-Kader Davids was fatally shot two days after he was released on R250 000 bail last year. NOW READ: Former Cape Town MMC, DA councillor Malusi Booi granted R250K bail
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Case withdrawn against Cape politician Malusi Booi
Former Cape Town human settlements MMC Malusi Booi, who was arrested over a R1bn housing tender fraud case, is a free man after the case was withdrawn in court on Friday. 'I thank my 84-year-old mother, my ancestors, my partner, my entire family and friends for their unwavering support,' he said afterwards on X. 'I maintain my innocence.' Booi, who said he is now a farmer in the Eastern Cape, was arrested in September and granted R250,000 bail. In January, lawyers for the ex-DA councillor and his co-accused complained that delays in the investigation had prejudiced them.
