Cape Argus reports that City of Cape Town Speaker Dirk Smit has decided not to act against JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, over the alleged irregular appointment of Robbie Robberts, the director of policing and enforcement services.  

Even though an investigation into the matter found the appointment irregular and recommended an investigation into Smith’s conduct, the Speaker said:  There was no transgression by JP Smith and the appointment was not irregular.  I am still busy accumulating all the information, but to be honest, there was no new information that was mentioned in the report since we knew about this matter.  Anyone who has more information must please come forward.”  In an interview on Monday, Smith maintained his innocence saying he had nothing to do with the hiring process of Robberts and that he was not involved in any HR-related processes.  The confidential investigation report on allegations of “nepotism and abuse of power” showed email correspondence between Smith, Robberts and safety and security director Richard Bosman in relation to Robberts’ offer, even before the position was created.  The report recommended that the council’s speaker should institute an investigation into the conduct of Smith in the “irregular” appointment of Robberts and that disciplinary proceedings be instituted against Bosman.

• Read the report by Marvin Charles on the above story in full at Cape Argus

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