The police's 'tender collusion' investigation in the city unearths gang suspicions, intimidation, influence, a web of networks, a takeover attempt and multimillion-rand contracts - the mother lode.

During his time as the City of Cape Town's human settlements mayoral committee member, Malusi Booi was vocal about crimes, including extortion, that were wreaking havoc on construction sites.

In February 2023, referring to a housing project, he said: "The City condemns in the strongest terms any attempts of intimidation, interference or attacks on City staff and contractors while on site.

"We are committed to providing affordable homes to residents in areas in the metro and the safety of members of staff and contractors remains of utmost consideration at all times. The City will not allow criminals to hold our communities and affordable housing projects hostage."

But a month later, Booi's office was raided as part of a police fraud and corruption investigation. By the end of 2023, he had been suspended, then dismissed, and had resigned as a DA councillor in the City of Cape Town.

Fast-forward to this week.

Booi was arrested in the Eastern Cape in relation to a mega Cape Town tender-for-profits case. It involves accusations that, alongside alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, Booi was involved in making money from unlawfully...