The City of Cape Town has finally fired the MMC of Human Settlements Malusi Booi following his suspension over a week ago. Booi was suspended a day after cops searched his offices in alleged corruption and fraud investigations against him.
Booi was removed from his position as the Mayco member for Human Settlements but remains a councillor. On the other hand, the DA has given him 24 hours to give reasons on why he must not be fired from the party.
On Thursday evening, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said after he got an update from cops about Booi’s matter, he decided to fire him from his post. EFF in Cape Town said Human Settlements was being a playground of gangs under Booi. They said gangsters were getting tenders easily under the leadership Booi. A source close to the matter said Booi will be arrested anytime soon.
“I have received an updated briefing from the SAPS regarding their investigation, and on this basis, have decided to remove Councillor Malusi Booi from his position on the Mayoral Committee with immediate effect. While Councillor Booi has not been charged, the matters under investigation are to my mind serious enough to warrant immediate action to protect the integrity of our government,” said Hill-Lewis.
Andiswa Madikazi, EFF’s spokeswoman in the City of Cape Town said they welcome the decision by the Mayor to fire Booi. EFF said they want a lifestyle audit on Booi and other MMC’s.
“We call upon the City of Cape Town to do a lifestyle audit on Malusi Booi. Furthermore, the EFF in Cape Metro calls upon the City to investigate all officials in human settlements including all Mayco members in the City of Cape Town. Under Goerdin Hill-Lewis’ mayoralty, we have already seen two suspensions of MMCs. This includes Water and sanitation Mayco member, Zahid Badroondien who was removed from office for tempering with an electricity meter. This makes us question whether the DA is really running a ‘clean government’ with a ‘clean audit’,” said Madikazi.
The EFF added corruption have plagued the Human Settlements department within the municipality. The EFF said gangsters have been running the construction industry in Cape Town.
“It is no secret that Human Settlement under the leadership of Malusi Booi has been a playground for gangsters, who receive tenders through corrupt measures. If gangsters were not receiving corrupt tenders, they extorted companies that received tenders from Human Settlement under Malusi Booi,” Madikazi added.
Cops’ spokesman Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that the Commercial Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at Civic Centre on 15 March. He said electronic equipment and documents were confiscated. He said investigations are underway.
