Cape Town City Manager leads sting operation to expose R1.4 million bribery scheme

As Cape Town battles corruption within its municipal ranks, a recent sting operation reveals the deep-rooted issues plaguing the system, but also shines a light on the bravery of those combating the scourge, with hopes for justice and accountability looming on the horizon. In a dramatic turn of events amid ongoing investigations into tender fraud, City of Cape Town Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo has been lauded for his bravery after leading a sting operation that exposed a R1.4 million rand bribery attempt The meticulous operation, conducted on Tuesday, has led to the arrest of a key suspect while reinforcing the city’s commitment to zero tolerance against corruption. The suspect is expected to make his first appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Police revealed that the investigation dates back to March 2025, sparked by a whistleblower’s disclosures about collusion between municipal employees and service providers, which undermined the integrity of public contracts. The City of Cape Town’s Ethics and Forensic Services, in collaboration with the South African Police Service’s Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit (CCI), commenced a thorough probe that aims to root out corruption within the municipality. On the day of the sting, March 3, at Waterstone Village in Somerset West, Mbandazayo, under the watchful eyes of law enforcement, and facing significant personal risk, acted as an agent of the operation and confronted the suspect, who handed over R1.4 million in cash.

The CCI officers swiftly intervened, seizing the cash, a mobile device, and a Toyota bakkie. The 51-year-old suspect was arrested on the spot and is set to face corruption charges. The sting operation on Tuesday succeeded a prior Section 252A operation on February 26 at the Table Bay Mall, Sunningdale, where the company director attempted to bribe the City Manager with R4 million and committed to an initial R2 million in cash. On February 27, the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the continuation of the controlled operation, with the City Manager acting as authorised agent for the successful sting operation in Somerset West on March 3.