Covid corruption: SIU to recover R19 million, NPA to decide Jhb officials’ fate

The City of Joburg has initiated disciplinary processes against the Joburg Property Company CEO Helen Botes and other officials, while the group could also face criminal charges over alleged corruption involving Covid-19 cleaning tenders.

The municipality has appointed a firm of attorneys to assist the JPC board in executing the recommendations of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) Report into the allegations against the senior officials. The firm is currently collating and analysing possible evidence and a senior Counsel is also on board to work with the law firm.

The board had first suspended the CEO in September 2021, and again for three months from May 2021. According to city spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane, when the suspension period lapsed two weeks ago, Botes returned to the office.

“The return is in line with the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, dated April 2011. The CEO had previously been suspended by the Board in June 2020. It should also be emphasised that the prolonged suspension of the CEO would be an unfair labour practise in terms of the Labour Relations Act. The JPC awaits the outcome of the work, being carried out, by the legal team.”

Also Read:Joburg’s Covid corruption-accused CEO Helen Botes back at work

At the same time the SIU has referred the report on its investigation on the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority, according to SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

“We are not laying any charges. We have made a referral to the NPA as per our act when we find criminality during our investigation,” says Kganyago.

“We have recommended that they need to be disciplined and charged. We sent that referral to the board and the second thing that we did was to refer the criminal issues.”

The SIU is also in the process of setting aside the four JPC cleaning contracts worth a collective R19 million with the intention to recover the money.

City corruption crackdown

The City of Johannesburg has officially established a Disciplinary Board. The entity is to to serve the city’s departments
and entities in line with Municipal Finance Act (MFMA) and other legislation. This was announced by the city’s finance department on Thursday.

According to Finance MMC Matshidiso Mfikoe,the Disciplinary Board is an independent advisory body whose primary task will be to assist the City Council with the investigation of allegations of financial misconduct.

Based on the outcomes of investigations, the Disciplinary Board, with members appointed by Joburg Mayor, Jolidee Matongo, will make recommendations on appropriate steps to be taken including disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

Simnikiweh@citizen.co.za