'I believe truth will prevail': JP Smith explains claim of a political smear campaign against him

Sara-Jayne Makwala King gets an update from Eyewitness News reporter Melikhaya Zagagana.

A number of statements have been released since the The Police Commercial Crimes Unit descended on the offices of two City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee members on Friday.

Raids were conducted on the offices of JP Smith, Safety and Security MMC, and Energy MMC Xanthea Limberg.

The investigation is related to tender fraud in the construction sector and a case that's already before the courts involving former Human Settlements MMC, Malusi Booi, who is on suspension.

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As speculation swirls around the latest raids, opposition parties have questioned why Smith and Limberg themselves have not been suspended.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was quick to issue a statement saying he could not act on the basis of allegations without having any evidence presented, as he'd not not been briefed by police about the nature of their investigation.

"Also, in Saturday's DA media briefing John Steenhuisen reiterated the same thing, that at the moment the matter remains speculation therefore they will wait until they are briefed by SAPS. So both Smith and Limberg remain in office."

Melikhaya Zagagana, Reporter - Eyewitness News

JP Smith himself posted a lengthy statement on social media, which he titled 'The real version of the truth'.

The MMC said he'd been tipped off that 'some political actors' have been working on a smear campaign and mobilised 'a political hit-squad' against him.

"I was alerted to this some months back, and some of you will have noticed from posts on social media that some politicians appear to be receiving ‘briefings’ or are involving themselves in what should clearly be, a protected police investigation."

JP Smith,  Safety and Security MMC - CoCT

Apart from these tell-tale warning signs, Smith went on, he'd been reliably informed that senior ANC politicians have been briefed by members within SAPS. 

He also mentioned recording of conversations which he'd been sent. 

"...even just at face value, (these recordings) reveal a political conspiracy against me by political office bearers, a private security company, and possibly that of members within SAPS, yet undetermined at this stage if these are past employees or still serving within SAPS still today... an individual featuring on the recordings described the reason for me being targeted simply because I 'stood in the way of too much'."

JP Smith,  Safety and Security MMC - CoCT

Referring to the question of Booi's earlier suspension, Zagagana notes that at the time Hill-Lewis said he was able to act as he'd been briefed by police in that case.

"I would assume the Mayor was also presented with evidence at the time.... Booi is currently out on bail and the casee is expected to be back in court next Friday."

Melikhaya Zagagana, Reporter - Eyewitness News

To hear more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article