Activists and opposition parties hail Malusi Booi’s arrest
Housing activists and political parties have praised the arrest of former DA and City of Cape Town councillor Malusi Booi in a fraud and tender corruption case, reports News24.
They remain hopeful more arrests will be made, rooting out alleged corrupt activities within the city's housing department.
Booi was arrested in the Eastern Cape on Monday evening and stood in the dock with nine co-accused on Wednesday, including former director of public housing at the city Siphokazi September, his ex-wife Nomvuyo Mnyaka and Lorna Ndod, his girlfriend at the time.
It is the state's case Booi awarded R850m worth of tenders for housing in an unlawful and irregular manner to three companies belonging to alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson.
ANC caucus leader in the city Banele Majingo said the arrests were a victory for the residents of Cape Town.
‘This arrest sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated, and those found with their hands in the cookie jar will face the full might of the law,’ he added.
GOOD party general-secretary Brett Herron said any politician found to have abused their office of privilege to enrich themselves instead of serving the people, who needed them the most, was ‘disgusting’, according to News24.
‘The arrest of Booi is a welcome step in the criminal justice process because it is about time that politicians, against whom there is evidence, are prosecuted,’ he said.
He added: ‘There are still far too many politicians who face serious allegations that appear to be untouchable. That culture has to change.’
National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams said: ‘We are of the opinion that Mr Malusi Booi, even if he is a prime suspect or alleged suspect, should not be the fall person or victim of the actions of others, but should be joined by those implicated in the saga.’
Housing law group Ndifuna Ukwazi said in a brief statement that they welcomed Booi arrest.
‘Over the years, there have been concerns regarding corruption in the housing delivery sector, not just with tenders for building contracts, but also sales of public land and allocation of housing opportunities.'
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
