The South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (CCI) on Tuesday executed a sting operation in Somerset West, along with Cape Town city manager Lungelo Mbandazayo, to nab a suspect in a fraud and corruption case.

The operation formed part of an ongoing joint investigation between the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and the CCI into fraud and corruption involving a company which is a contracted vendor to the city.

The investigation began in March last year, following a tip-off by a whistleblower.

During Tuesday’s operation, the suspect handed Mbandazayo R1.4-million in cash, allegedly as a bribe, in exchange for assistance in retaining contracts with the city, and in the halting the city’s investigation into the company.

CCI officers intervened, seizing the money, a mobile device and a bakkie believed to have been used during the commissioning of an allegedly corrupt act.

The suspect was arrested on-site and subsequently detained at the Bellville SAPS station.

He is scheduled to appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The sting operation was preceded by a Section 252A undercover operation in February at the Table Bay Mall, where the company director approached Mbandazayo and requested his assistance in halting the city’s internal investigation processes.

In return, the director offered R4-million in payment, committing to an initial payment of R2-million in cash.

Later that month, the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the controlled operation that played out on Tuesday.

More arrests are expected as the investigation continue, says CoCT in a statement.

“I commend the bravery shown by our city manager, who played a central role in a SAPS sting operation yesterday by posing as the key figure to attract the suspect to the scene,” says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

“We welcome the arrest made as a result of this dynamic operation, and will continue to support SAPS in ensuring successful prosecutions.”

Mbandazayo has served as city manager since 2018, and was reappointed for a second term under Hill-Lewis in 2022.

According to CoCT, Mbandazayo has also ensured that National Treasury blacklists more than a dozen criminal front companies, thwarting their attempts to do business with the State.