By Marvin Charles
Malusi Booi, the former City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for human settlements, has been arrested in connection with a significant fraud and corruption case.
On Monday evening, the 46-year-old Booi was apprehended in the Eastern Cape following a long-running investigation. Police did not initially name the individual, but sources within the DA and the City of Cape Town confirmed his identity to News24.
This comes a year after the police raided Booi’s offices in March 2023, leading to his removal from the human settlements portfolio. At the time, Booi was also suspended from the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, pending the outcome of the investigation.
In October 2023, Booi resigned as a DA councillor, but the legal proceedings against him have continued. According to Brigadier Novela Potelwa, the arrest follows an extensive investigation by the commercial crimes unit, which seized several items from City of Cape Town offices during the raid.
As part of a coordinated effort, four additional suspects were arrested in Cape Town and Johannesburg, bringing the total number of arrests to eight. All suspects face serious charges including money laundering, racketeering, corruption, and extortion fraud. They are expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
The investigation has been hailed as a significant step forward in combating corruption within local government, with further arrests not ruled out.
Carl Pophaim, the current City of Cape Town MMC for human settlements, welcomed the progress of the investigation, stressing the City’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and tackling corruption.
“The City remains focused on delivering essential services to our residents, especially the most vulnerable, and ensuring accountability in all areas of governance,” Pophaim added.
Tertuis Simmers, leader of the DA in the Western Cape, echoed Pophaim’s sentiment, stating that the law must take its course and that the DA would continue to support legal processes.
Booi’s arrest marks a significant milestone in the investigation into tender fraud and corruption, which has shaken local politics in Cape Town. Further developments in the case are expected.