A 38-year-old female suspect was arrested for allegedly breaking into the IEC offices at the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan building in Braamfontein on February 7.
She appeared in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court on charges of being in possession of suspected stolen goods, trespassing and break-in.
The suspect was spotted by patrolling security personnel while she was trying to break an emergency exit door.
The guard then requested backup from the JMPD. When back-up finally arrived, the building was searched from the second floor and she was found hiding behind a door of an office that she allegedly broke into as well.
Lucky Sindane, spokesperson for Group Forensic and Investigation Services, said she could not explain what she was doing in the building after the officers questioned her.
She was found in possession of computer hard drives, other computer tools and tools that she used to break in.
“It is not the first time the suspect has broken into the City of Johannesburg’s offices. Two weeks ago, she was spotted on CCTV camera footage carrying two bags full of computer hard drives stolen from the development planning offices and the group legal and contract services offices also situated at the metropolitan building.
“In October 2020, she was arrested for a similar crime but the case was thrown out of court because of a lack of evidence. It is alleged that the suspect is a service provider for the City of Johannesburg and is registered as the director of five companies. Further investigation is underway.
“The City is committed to ensuring that it stops the rot in the city and make it a prosperous and inclusive place for our people to live, work and play,” he said.
The City encourages people to report any fraud and corruption activities on its 24-hour tip-off hotline on 0800 002 587 or email problempropertyhotline@joburg.org.za or whistle@joburg.org.za or visit the GFIS offices at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein.
