KEY POINTS
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Former Cape Town housing MMC Malusi Booi is cleared of all charges in a R1bn housing tender fraud case after prosecutors withdrew the case citing delays and lack of progress.
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Booi, arrested in 2024 and released on R250,000 bail, had consistently denied the allegations and now plans to focus on farming while considering a future return to public service.
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The case withdrawal highlights concerns over prosecutorial capacity in handling high-profile corruption cases and fuels calls for better oversight of municipal tender processes.
Malusi Booi, the former Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in the City of Cape Town, has walked away from court a free man after all charges against him in a high-profile R1 billion housing tender fraud case were withdrawn.
The case, which had loomed over Booi’s career and reputation for nearly eight months, was formally struck off the roll by prosecutors on Friday, May 23, 2025.
Booi, once a rising star in the Democratic Alliance (DA), was arrested in September 2024 following an extensive investigation into alleged irregularities in the awarding of housing tenders during his tenure as MMC. The probe drew national attention and resulted in Booi being removed from his executive post in the City of Cape Town.
“I thank my 84-year-old mother, my ancestors, my partner, my entire family and friends for their unwavering support,” Booi said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I maintain my innocence.”
Delays and doubts undermine high-stakes corruption case
The decision to withdraw the case comes after months of procedural delays and mounting criticism over the pace and transparency of the investigation. Booi and his legal team repeatedly voiced concerns that the drawn-out process was damaging his reputation and political future.
Booi had been released on R250,000 bail shortly after his arrest, but little progress was made in the months that followed. In January 2025, his attorneys and those representing his co-accused lodged formal complaints, arguing that the continued postponements constituted a violation of their right to a fair and timely trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has not publicly explained its reasons for withdrawing the case. However, legal analysts speculate that insufficient evidence or flaws in the investigation may have played a role in the decision.
“This case shows how fragile public trust can become when high-profile cases collapse without resolution,” said Advocate Lunga Ndlovu, a Cape Town-based legal analyst. “When the justice system is seen as inconsistent, it undermines both accountability and confidence in governance.”
Booi, who now describes himself as a full-time farmer in the Eastern Cape, has expressed interest in rebuilding his public image and possibly returning to public service.
“I’ve spent the last few months reflecting on my purpose,” he told supporters outside the courthouse. “If I return to politics, it will be to serve with greater humility and dedication.”
Booi’s case is one of several recent high-profile corruption-related investigations that have either stalled or collapsed across South Africa, raising questions about prosecutorial readiness and investigative coordination. Just last month, the Special Tribunal ruled in favour of the Free State government in another tender scandal, ordering the recovery of over R500 million linked to unlawful emergency medical service contracts.
In Cape Town, where housing shortages and allegations of mismanagement persist, the withdrawal of Booi’s case is likely to reignite public scrutiny over how city tenders are awarded and monitored. Calls are growing for greater transparency, independent oversight, and protection for whistleblowers.
As the dust settles, the political fallout remains to be seen. While Booi’s supporters welcome the withdrawal as vindication, others warn that the lack of closure could further erode faith in both political and judicial institutions.
