DA’s Malusi Booi milked Cape Town housing budget, says NPA

Malusi Booi with his nine co-accused in Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday facing charges of corruption. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers

Malusi Booi with his nine co-accused in Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday facing charges of corruption. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers

Published Sep 12, 2024

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has revealed that former MMC for Housing and DA councillor in the City of Cape Town, Malusi Booi, milked the housing budget of the municipal government.

Furthermore, it has been reported that the former MMC of Human Settlement was affiliated to 28s gang leader Ralph Stanfields, and received from him more than R45 million, which included expensive “gifts” such as Rolex watches.

Booi’s wife, Nomvuyo Mnyaka, is reported to have received a Rolex watch worth R690 000 and R20 000 in cash while his side chick, Lorna Ndoda, received at least R500 000 in numerous payments into her banking account.

Booi also paid R50 000 to former city director for public housing, Siphokazi September.

On Wednesday, Booi’d bail application in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court was postponed to Thursday following his arrest on Monday at his home in the Eastern Cape.

His offices were raided nearly a year ago and his electronic equipment, which are pivotal to the case, was seized to assist further investigations.

He and nine others are facing charges that include money laundering, racketeering, fraud, and Prevention of Organised Crime Act violations.

Booi’s co-accused have been revealed as September, Mohammed Amod, Suraya Manual, Randall and Brenda Mullins, Abdul-Kader Davids, Thuli Imgibi, Ndoda and Mnyaka.

September was dismissed after being found guilty during a disciplinary hearing in January.

She was suspended from the department after the police raided her offices and conducted a search-and-seizure operation shortly after tender fraud allegations were levelled against Booi.

On Wednesday, even though the State indicated that it will not oppose bail for Booi and his co-accused, it argued that there should be strict conditions with a maximum of R200 000 bail for Booi.

According to Eric Ntabazalila from the Western Cape NPA, the State did not oppose bail but proposed significantly higher bail amounts than those suggested by the accused.

The Star

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za