THERE is insufficient evidence at this stage to justify the suspensions of safety and security mayco member JP Smith and Energy mayco member Xanthea Limberg from the Mayoral Committee, says Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. This follows what he said was a meeting with the police yesterday.
‘I requested a briefing from SAPS following the execution of a search warrant at the offices of two Mayoral Committee members on 24 January. I met with SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Patekile and two of his officials on 29 January, who could not provide any indication of whether substantive evidence of wrong-doing exists.
“SAPS confirmed to me that the execution of a search warrant is in no way indicative of a crime, and I have not been provided with any substantive evidence of alleged wrong-doing by either of the Mayco members in question.
“In the circumstances, and unless such substantive evidence is forthcoming, there is no basis to suspend either of them from the Mayoral Committee. I have further sought and since received a legal opinion from senior counsel affirming my view that this is the correct course of action in the current circumstance,” he said in a statement.
Hill-Lewis has been under increasing pressure from opposition parties to suspend Smith and Limberg amid ongoing police investigations. Smith and Limberg were thrust into the spotlight on Friday when the Commercial Crimes unit of the provincial police swooped into their offices at the Civic Centre as part of a forensic investigation stemming from a tender fraud case before the courts.
Hill-Lewis said full co-operation was being provided by Smith and Limberg to “aid SAPS” in their inquiry.
“Their co-operation has been offered at all times, even prior to the search. It should be pointed out that there are crucial differences between this and the earlier matter relating to Malusi Booi, which has since proceeded to trial. In the Malusi Booi matter, SAPS gave me insight into substantive evidence of alleged corruption and advised me of their intention to make an arrest. This enabled me to act based on credible and substantive evidence, which is absent at this stage in this matter,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis.