South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crime investigators executed multiple search and seizure warrants on Thursday as part of a widening corruption probe involving the City of Cape Town and a former municipal contractor, Triple C Maintenance Services. The operation targeted a municipal office and several private residences, including the home of a mayoral committee (Mayco) member, resulting in the seizure of 21 cellular telephones and nine laptops for forensic analysis.
Why the investigation is expanding
The probe centers on alleged fraud and corruption linked to Triple C Maintenance Services, a firm that previously held municipal contracts for road maintenance, resurfacing, and stormwater infrastructure. According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut, the current operation follows a February 2026 undercover sting. During this operation, the company’s owner, 56-year-old Shaun Roos, allegedly offered a senior municipal official a multimillion-rand bribe to halt internal investigations into the firm.
The situation escalated on March 3, 2026, when the municipal official acted as an agent in a transaction at the Watercress Mall in Somerset West. Police seized R1.4 million in cash, a vehicle, and a cellphone during that encounter, leading to the immediate arrest of Roos. The City of Cape Town has since terminated all contracts with Triple C Maintenance Services.
The ongoing investigation is a joint effort between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the City of Cape Town’s Ethics and Forensics Department, marking a multidisciplinary approach to addressing alleged collusive fraud.
What happens next
While no new arrests were made during Thursday’s raids, police indicate that further legal action will be determined by the evidence recovered from the seized devices and other materials. Colonel Traut stated that the investigation remains active and extends beyond the municipal environment to include various private individuals. Shaun Roos remains in custody after being denied bail, facing allegations that include links to the 28s prison gangs and reported plots to kidnap witnesses during court proceedings.
The breadth of these search warrants—extending to the homes of municipal employees and a mayoral committee member—suggests that investigators are looking for evidence of a systemic network rather than isolated bribery. The involvement of the City’s own Ethics and Forensics Department alongside national police signals that the municipality is treating the internal integrity of its contracting processes as a high-stakes priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shaun Roos?
Shaun Roos, 56, is the owner of Triple C Maintenance and Services, a Blackheath-based company that formerly held municipal contracts with the City of Cape Town.
What evidence did police seize during the recent raids?
Investigators seized 21 cellular telephones, nine laptops, and other potential evidential material from a municipal office and several residential properties.
Are there any other allegations against the arrested contractor?
Yes, court proceedings have revealed allegations linking Roos to the 28s prison gangs and claims regarding plots to kidnap witnesses.
How will the outcome of this investigation impact the city’s future procurement policies?