CoCT's JP Smith wants 'political hit squad' mobilised to see him removed from office being probed

Cape Town City Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said he wants a "political hit squad" mobilised to see him removed from his office being investigated.

Smith was recently vindicated after the Western Cape High Court ruled that a South African Police Service (SAPS) raid at his office in January was unlawful.

The court ruled that a raid at Smith's colleague, Mayco Member for Energy Xanthea Limberg's office on the same day was also unlawful. The raids were part of a probe into tender fraud in Cape Town's construction sector.

Smith said before raids at his office, he obtained recordings of the suspects colluding against him.

“The source of the recordings said that the goal was to create a trial by media, and the goal was not to get a conviction, but that they hoped to have me removed from my role as MAYCO member for safety and security and my roles in the party [the DA].”

The High Court's ruling came after Smith filed an application against the then national minister of police, who played a role in authorising the raid.

Spokesperson for the minister of police, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said, "The ministry has noted the court's ruling and will be guided by the SAPS legal services in respect of the way forward."

Smith said he has hired an investigator to compile an affidavit that will be submitted for SAPS to investigate the persons he believes were behind the raid.