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High Court Clears Xanthea Limberg and JP Smith After Unlawful Raids
A courtroom victory for City leaders
The Western Cape High Court has declared that raids carried out on the offices of Aldermen Xanthea Limberg and JP Smith earlier this year were unlawful. The searches, which took place on 24 January, were initially linked to an investigation into alleged tender fraud in Cape Town’s construction sector. Police seized electronic devices, including mobile phones, sparking a wave of speculation and political chatter across the city.
On 11 September, the court struck down the warrants as unconstitutional, unlawful, and invalid. For Limberg and Smith, who had challenged the matter head-on, the judgment was a clear vindication.
Limberg speaks out
In a strongly worded statement, Limberg described the raids as nothing more than a smear campaign. “From the onset, I viewed the allegations as a cheap attempt to tarnish my reputation and undermine the work I do daily for the people of Cape Town,” she said.
Limberg went further, warning that the incident highlighted the potential abuse of South Africa’s criminal justice system. She argued that resources should focus on tackling hardened criminals, not being weaponised in political rivalries.
The court’s orders
The court not only set aside the raids but also ordered that all items seized be returned. Any data copied during the searches must be destroyed immediately. In addition, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been instructed to cover the full legal costs of the case.
This outcome, which stemmed from a settlement agreement between all parties, has placed accountability squarely at the doorstep of national police leadership.
Political fallout and public perception
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the ruling, calling it both closure and clarity. He revealed that no criminal docket had ever existed to justify the raid and that there was never any evidence against his mayoral committee members. He commended Limberg and Smith, noting that both have carried out their duties with integrity, with Smith even being recognised nationally for his crime-fighting record.
For Capetonians, the raids had left a lingering question mark over leadership at City Hall. Social media users were quick to frame the court’s decision as proof that politics had seeped into policing. The ruling has not only cleared the names of two high-profile officials but has also reignited debate around the use of state institutions in political rivalries.
A fresh chapter or another battle ahead?
While the High Court decision offers Limberg and Smith a reprieve, it also opens broader conversations about accountability and transparency in governance. For residents of Cape Town, where service delivery and safety remain top concerns, the focus now shifts back to what the mayor describes as the “excellent work” these officials are expected to continue.
What remains to be seen is whether this ruling will mark the end of a politically charged episode or the beginning of a deeper investigation into how the justice system can be safeguarded from political influence.
Also read: Positive Signs for South Africa’s Budget Deficit as Treasury Forecast Looks Easier to Reach
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
