Helen Zille Defends Cape Town MMC JP Smith After Offices Raided, Calls It a Political Smear Campaign

Helen Zille Defends Cape Town MMC JP Smith After Offices Raided, Calls It a Political Smear Campaign

  • Cape Town's MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith's offices have been raided following investigations into alleged fraud and corruption
  • He has been accused of being involved in a construction fraud and corruption case in which another MMC was also implicated
  • Smith said the raid was a political smear campaign against him and denied that he was involved in any corrupt activities, and the DA's Helen Zille supported him

With nine years' experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

DA's Federal Chair Helen Zille supported JP Smith as he faces a fraud and corruption investigation
Helen Zille called the investigation into JP Smith a political smear campaign. Images: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images via Getty Images and @AFRICANDEMOC/ X
Source: UGC

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — The MMC for Safety and Security in Cape Town, JP Smith, has slammed allegations of fraud and corruption against him after his offices were raided on 24 January 2025.

JP Smith's offices raided

According to SABC News, Smith has been implicated in housing tender fraud in Cape Town's construction sector. The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized documents and cell phones from Smith and MMC of Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services and Energy Xanthea Limberg. Smith is being investigated for his ties to former MMC of Human Settlements Malusi Booi, who was arrested on fraud and corruption charges.

Read also

SA amazed that Helen Zille stands with Julius Malema in calling for SANDF soldiers to be withdrawn

What did Smith say?

In a statement, Smith said a political hit squad mobilised the raid against him. He said he became aware of the alleged hit squad last year and that members of SAPS have briefed senior African National Congress (ANC) members. He added that he received recordings of conversations that point to a conspiracy against him.

Why does Zille support him?

According to News24, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chair, Helen Zille, supported Smith. She said Smith informed her of the investigation. She said that Smith has many enemies who want to remove him from his seat.

Helen Zille defended JP Smith against charges of fraud and corruption
Helen Zille was aware of the investigation into JP Smith. Image: Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Recent investigations into politicians

Read also

National Sex Offenders Registry to be made public in March 2025, SA celebrates

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni probed for fraud

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has been investigated for fraud and corruption. She was accused of irregularly awarding a tender in 2009.

Ntshavheni was the municipal manager for the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality when she awarded a company the contract to produce the municipality's financial report. The tender was originally over R500,000, but the company's services were extended to over R2 million.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He has a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON. He joined Daily Sun, where he worked for 4 years covering politics, crime, entertainment, current affairs, policy, governance and art. He was also a sub-editor and journalist for Capricorn Post before joining Vutivi Business News in 2020, where he covered small business news policy and governance, analysis and profiles. He joined Briefly News in 2023. Tebogo passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za