South Africa: City of Collusion – Gang of Suspects and Ex-Civil Servants Accused of Creating Cape Town’s Real-Life ‘Construction Mafia’

The police investigation into ‘tender collusion’ in the city has uncovered suspicions of gangs, intimidation, influence peddling, a web of networks, a takeover attempt and contracts worth millions of rand – the bulk of it.

During his time as a member of the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi spoke out against crimes, including extortion, that were causing destruction at construction sites.

In February 2023, he said of a housing project: “The city strongly condemns any attempts to intimidate, interfere or attack municipal employees and contractors on the construction site.

“We are committed to providing affordable housing to residents in the metro area and the safety of our staff and contractors remains our top concern at all times. The City will not allow criminals to hold our communities and affordable housing projects hostage.”

But a month later, Booi’s office was searched as part of a police investigation into fraud and corruption. By the end of 2023, he had been suspended, then sacked and resigned as a DA councillor in the City of Cape Town.

Let’s look ahead to this week.

Booi was arrested in the Eastern Cape in connection with a mega tender-for-profits case in Cape Town. It involves allegations that Booi, along with alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, was involved in making money from illegal…