Former City of Joburg area manager for housing in region F Johanna Jacobs appeared in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court where she was charged with fraud and corruption on November 1.
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Executive mayor Clr Herman Mashaba said 13 allegations of fraud, corruption and irregular conduct were levelled against Jacobs.
“Jacobs managed a retirement home from January 2011 until February this year. She resigned after learning that she was being investigated.
“It is alleged that the former employee charged amounts ranging between R5 000 and R25 000 for the allocation of flats or units at Reuven Retirement Home,” he said.
Mashaba said Jacobs indicated that she received monies from 11 tenants totalling R18 000.
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It is also alleged that some tenants paid their monthly rental money directly to Jacobs but she did not pay it over to the CoJ, resulting in the tenants owing large amounts of money.
Rental reconciliation reports reflect that as at February 1 there was a total outstanding amount of R1.9-million due by the tenants of Reuven.
“In some instances, Jacobs allocated the flats of the deceased to her people and pocketed the monthly rental. An investigation conducted by the city’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service also revealed that Jacobs colluded with a number of officials from the City’s Department of Housing. Investigations are ongoing and more arrests are imminent,” said Mashaba.
He encouraged people to report any fraud and corruption activities through the 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587.
“Alternately, people can visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein,” he said.
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