Opposition in WC Legislature criticise SAPS for briefing Hill-Lewis on probe into JP Smith, Limberg
This follows a confirmation by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis that he was briefed by SAPS in relation to the raids conducted by commercial crimes investigators at Smith and Limberg offices last week.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Picture: X/Geordinhl
CAPE TOWN - Opposition parties in the Western Cape provincial legislature have criticised the police for briefing Cape Town about investigations into JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg.
This follows Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis' confirmation that the SAPS briefed him on the raids that commercial crimes investigators carried out at Smith and Limberg's offices last week.
The parties include opposition parties include African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), GOOD Party, the Freedom Front Plus and Patriotic Alliance.
ANC, EFF, GOOD, the Freedom Front Plus and Patriotic Alliance say it can't be protocol that police brief a mayor about the details of the investigation on JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg.
SAPS confirmed in a statement that the two Mayco members' offices were raided concerning a tender fraud case in the construction sector before the courts.
Hill-Lewis requested a briefing from SAPS to determine whether he could take further action about the investigation of the two MMCs.
The ANC's provincial spokesperson and MPL, Khalid Sayed, says the credibility of the case could be at risk
"We believe that sharing information of the case with any political party is against the principle of justice, extremely disappointing but it is confusing as SAPS had no issues briefing the Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis," he said.
According to the mayor, no substantial information that the SAPS shared could warrant the suspension of Smith and Limberg.