The African National Congress (ANC) Joburg chief whip, Solly Mogase, has opened a case of fraud with the South African police against former MMC for Economic Development, Sharon Peetz.
Peets was fired as MMC after allegations that she falsified proof of payment documents proving she paid for a family member to accompany her on an official trip to Spain.
Mogase believes that the City of Johannesburg’s public money was used to pay for the relative instead. He said he had given the mayor enough time to resolve the matter and had now decided to push criminal charges.
“Mayor Herman Mashaba has misused the City’s resources by appointing incompetent forensic investigators who failed to reveal that Peetz had produced false evidence…”
Mogase said the party believes corruption must be rooted out, therefore, they are opening a case at Jeppestown Police Station.
But a case of fraud against Peetz had already been opened earlier this year at the Honeydew Police Station. The City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services confirmed it opened the case along with the travel service provider.
Spokesperson Lucky Sindane said the City did not pay for Peetz’ relative at all.
“The service provider approached the mayor and said they had not yet received the amount paid for Peetz’ relative. The mayor asked us to investigate and we found that the documents were falsified.”
Sindane said the bank confirmed that they were falsified. The investigators then recommended that the mayor dismiss Peetz, which he did on 2 August.
The alleged falsified documents were proof of payment to the service provider, not the City. Sindane said the City only ever paid for Peetz.
Peetz has since also been fired as a councillor, and her Democratic Alliance membership revoked, DA Gauteng leader John Moodey confirmed.
Honeydew police confirmed the case was opened there.
Peetz has been contacted for comment. She said she would do so soon. She has, however, said, “I can categorically state that the City of Joburg did not pay one cent towards any travel to my family.”
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