Opposition parties in the Western Cape Legislature are calling for an urgent meeting with Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile, to address the importance of safeguarding the South African Police Services’ (Saps’) investigations from political interference.

This followed a raid last week by the Saps specialised crime unit on the offices of Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith and Water and Sanitation MMC Xanthea Limberg, as part of investigations into a tender fraud case in the construction sector within the City of Cape Town.

The African National Congress, GOOD Party, Economic Freedom Fighters, Freedom Front Plus, and the Patriotic Alliance said they wanted clarity on the alleged tip-off to Smith that he was under investigation.

The parties pointed out that Smith and Democratic Alliance Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille had claimed that they were tipped off about the investigation last year.

The parties also want clarity on whether there was any substance to Smith and Zille’s claim of political machinations behind the investigation, as Smith had claimed that the investigation was politically motivated and part of a plot against him.

“Their allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and the possibility of political interference in the work of the South African Police Service,” the parties said.

They pointed out that the police must be allowed to conduct their work with independence and integrity, free from external influence or baseless accusations.

“If the allegations made by Smith and Zille are without foundation, it reflects poorly on their leadership and raises further doubts about the Democratic Alliance’s fitness to govern,” the opposition parties stated.

The parties urged the Saps to remain steadfastly committed to justice and transparency, ensuring that those who were implicated were held accountable without fear or favour.

“The people of the Western Cape deserve answers, and this matter must be addressed with urgency to restore public confidence in our institutions. Our intention is not to engage with Saps on the merits or the evidence related to the investigation. We will restrict our discussion to the issues raised above. We respect the integrity and necessary independence of the investigation,” the parties said.