The City of Cape Town has taken action against seven companies associated with Nicole Johnson, wife of alleged gang leader Ralph Stanfield, as part of a wider investigation into city tenders. The move follows the death of Wendy Kloppers, a high-ranking city official, and the subsequent review of all tenders. Two construction contracts have been terminated and some officials from the Human Settlements Department are facing disciplinary hearings after allegations of manipulating tenders to benefit Johnson’s companies. The investigation into the potential connection between Johnson and her husband continues.
City of Cape Town Sanctions Businesses Connected to Nicole Johnson
The City of Cape Town has imposed sanctions on seven companies linked to Nicole Johnson, wife of alleged 28s gang leader, Ralph Stanfield. The move is part of a wider investigation into city tenders triggered by the death of high-ranking city official, Wendy Kloppers. The companies were blacklisted due to their ties with Johnson and their potential to damage Cape Town’s reputation. The investigation has also led to the suspension of city officials and the termination of two construction contracts.
In a surprising twist, the City of Cape Town has imposed sanctions on companies linked to Nicole Johnson, wife of the alleged 28s gang leader, Ralph Stanfield. The sanctions have struck seven companies, all falling under Johnson’s administration. Lungelo Mbandazayo, City Manager, confirmed these actions to the Daily Maverick. However, he refrained from discussing the method used to identify these companies, adding only that they all were tied to Johnson’s management.
Investigation into City Tenders Triggers Blacklisting
These measures were taken as part of a wider investigation that began after a high-ranking city official, Wendy Kloppers, was tragically killed earlier this year in Delft. Kloppers’ death happened at the Symphony Way Housing Project construction site. Mbandazayo suggested a potential connection between Kloppers’ murder and the City’s refusal to comply with demands made by gang members. According to him, these gangsters were attempting to secure employment from contractors working on the housing project.
Addressing the incident, Mbandazayo proclaimed, “In light of these events, I made the decision to suspend all tenders and conduct a thorough review of each one.” The City Manager later shared more details with IOL. He explained that the companies that were blacklisted were those that threatened the City of Cape Town’s reputation. Mbandazayo added, “Regarding reputational risk, we blacklisted a total of seven companies. Each of these companies has ties to Ms Johnson in various capacities.”
Construction Contracts and City Officials Under Scrutiny
The City Manager also revealed that two existing construction contracts were terminated due to the threat they posed to the City’s reputation. He further stated that the investigation led to the suspension of some officials from the Human Settlements Department. In addition, certain officials now face disciplinary hearings. Mbandazayo indicated that some city officials may have tried to manipulate the tender process to benefit Johnson’s companies by customizing tenders to suit these businesses.
Interestingly, as the investigation progressed, Stanfield’s name surfaced in a separate probe involving Malusi Booi, a former Mayco member for human settlements. Booi was dismissed in March. The investigation aimed to determine whether Booi had accepted bribes from underworld figures. In return, he allegedly provided them with classified information about housing tenders.
Despite these allegations, Booi was never formally charged and instead resigned from his council position at the end of October. The investigation into the possible connection between Johnson and her purported gang boss husband continues. The blacklisting of Johnson’s companies marks the most recent development in a city grappling with corruption and gang-related violence threats.
1. Why has the City of Cape Town imposed sanctions on seven companies?
The City of Cape Town has imposed sanctions on seven companies due to their connection to Nicole Johnson, wife of alleged gang leader Ralph Stanfield, as part of a wider investigation into city tenders.
2. What triggered the wider investigation?
The wider investigation began after the death of high-ranking city official Wendy Kloppers earlier this year in Delft. Kloppers’ death happened at the Symphony Way Housing Project construction site and the investigation started after a potential connection was suggested between her murder and the City’s refusal to comply with demands made by gang members.
3. How were the blacklisted companies identified?
The City Manager did not disclose the method used to identify the blacklisted companies, only that they all had ties to Nicole Johnson’s management.
4. Has any construction contract been terminated?
Yes, two existing construction contracts were terminated due to the threat they posed to the city’s reputation.
5. Have any city officials faced disciplinary hearings?
Yes, some officials from the Human Settlements Department are facing disciplinary hearings after allegations of manipulating tenders to benefit Johnson’s companies.
6. What is the possible connection being investigated between Johnson and her husband?
The investigation aims to determine the potential connection between Nicole Johnson and her husband, alleged gang leader Ralph Stanfield. The investigation is ongoing.
