Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has ruled out suspending mayoral committee members JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg, citing a lack of substantive evidence in the ongoing tender fraud investigation.
Cape Town mayor: JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg not suspended
His decision follows a meeting with SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Patekile and two senior officials, who, according to Hill-Lewis, failed to provide any indication of wrongdoing by the two officials.
“I requested a briefing from SAPS following the execution of a search warrant at the offices of two Mayoral Committee members on 24 January,” Hill-Lewis stated.
“SAPS confirmed to me that the execution of a search warrant is in no way indicative of a crime, and I have not been provided with any substantive evidence of alleged wrongdoing by either of the Mayco members in question.”
The mayor further noted that he had sought and received a legal opinion supporting his stance.
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He maintained that should credible evidence emerge, he would reassess the situation and take appropriate action.
“Full cooperation is being provided by the MayCo members to aid SAPS in their inquiry, as confirmed to me by both SAPS and Aldermen Smith and Limberg,” Hill-Lewis added.
JP Smith insists the raid was ‘politically motivated’
The raid on Friday, 24 January 2025, led by the Western Cape SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit, targeted City offices, including those of JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg, in connection with an ongoing tender fraud investigation.
Smith has denied any wrongdoing and claims the operation was part of a politically driven smear campaign. He alleged that he had been warned months ago about a “political hit squad” targeting him and accused senior ANC figures and SAPS members of conspiring to discredit him.
“I respect the work SAPS does… but I have been tipped off that some political actors have mobilised a political ‘hit-squad’ against me,” Smith said.
“Some of you may have noticed politicians receiving ‘briefings’ or involving themselves in what should clearly be a protected police investigation.”
Smith further claimed to have received recordings supporting his allegations, suggesting that he was being targeted for “standing in the way of too much.”
Despite his claims of political interference, Smith reiterated his trust in the integrity of law enforcement officers and the judiciary.
The exact details of the tender fraud investigation remain undisclosed.
According to SAPS spokesperson Colonel André Traut, no arrests have been made, and officials have urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without speculation.
