NPA to update the city on the prosecution of corruption cases by Friday (10 May)

 The City of Johannesburg said it is doing everything possible to end the theft of public money and property in Johannesburg and is determined to see justice in serious cases of corruption.

A statement released by the office of Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, said, “Since this multi-party government entered the office, over 4 000 cases of alleged corruption have been opened and are being investigated by the City. These investigations total R24 billion of public funds. To date, over 60 cases of serious criminality have been uncovered through these forensic investigations. Despite criminal charges being laid with the police, the City has seen little to no movement on these matters.”

The City said that the NPA has previously opted to withdraw numerous cases from prosecution. This was despite overwhelming evidence against the accused.

“One such case is that of former candidate valuer, Mbali McClare, who was arrested for deliberately undervaluing 22 properties in the city, amounting to just under R500 million, that was withdrawn by the NPA late last year,” the City said in a statement.

The City continued by stating that the NPA informed them that they had no other option but to withdraw the case because they were unable to get statements from the devalued buildings’ owners.

“Another case which illustrates the NPA’s inability to prosecute serious criminality was the withdrawal of the case against the directors of Setheo Engineering. The directors were arrested in 2017 after having allegedly colluded with City Power officials to receive payments exceeding R88 million for work that was never completed in the building of the Eldorado Park Substation and refurbishment of the Hopefield Substation,” read the statement.

Herman Mashaba added that he personally handed over the financial records of the estimated 28 fraudulent payments to the then acting Head of the Hawks in 2017. “Despite the overwhelming evidence, these directors still walk free.”

“Cases like these not only represent a miscarriage of justice for the City of Johannesburg but also for law-abiding and hardworking residents of Johannesburg because every cent lost to corruption slows down service delivery,” said Herman Mashaba in the statement.

The City said that they will continue to engage the NPA in good faith and believe that these matters are receiving the urgent attention they require so that final decisions are made by 10 May this year.

“The City is confident that the evidence against the accused in these matters is overwhelming. Therefore, should the NPA decline to prosecute these cases, General Shadrack Sibiya has been instructed to begin the process of applying for a nolle prosequi certificates so that the City is able to pursue a private prosecution,” read the statement.

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/212719/city-johannesburg-created-110-000-new-jobs-reducing-unemployment-1-1-per-cent/