Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith has alleged that a “political hit squad” is working to remove him from office, following a Western Cape High Court ruling that police raids on his office earlier this year were unlawful.
The raids, conducted in January by the South African Police Service (SAPS), targeted Smith’s office as well as that of Mayco Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg. Both officials were linked to a probe into alleged tender fraud in Cape Town’s construction sector.
But the High Court has now found the raids to have been unlawful, vindicating Smith and Limberg. Smith subsequently claimed he had obtained recordings in which suspects colluded to tarnish his reputation and orchestrate his removal from both his Mayco position and his roles within the Democratic Alliance (DA).
“The source of the recordings said that the goal was to create a trial by media,” Smith said. “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 court ruling came after Smith filed an application against the then national Minister of Police, who had authorised the raids.
Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi acknowledged the judgment: “The ministry has noted the court’s ruling and will be guided by the SAPS legal services in respect of the way forward.”
Smith revealed he has now hired a private investigator to compile an affidavit for SAPS, calling for a probe into the individuals he believes were behind the alleged conspiracy.
The High Court’s decision and Smith’s explosive allegations raise new questions about the politicisation of law enforcement and the use of raids in high-stakes political battles within South Africa’s municipalities.