Employees and ex-employees of the City of Johannesburg and their accomplices who are involved in any shady business, better beware.
In the past two weeks alone, the Group Forensic and Investigation Services unit arrested 11 people linked to allegations of corruption in the City.
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said eight City officials who worked in the revenue department in Thuso House, the City’s finance headquarters in Braamfontein, were arrested on charges related to fraud, theft and corruption last week.
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It is expected that nine more suspects will be arrested in the near future. The suspects allegedly defrauded the City of about R2.5 million by claiming fraudulent refunds on behalf of property owners. The amount is expected to increase.
Earlier last week, a Supply Chain Management manager, and a member of the public, who is an accomplice, were arrested for soliciting a bribe of R32 000 from a service provider.
The anti-corruption unit is investigating allegations that the manager promised a subcontractor a job within the City, provided they paid him.
Mashaba warned that even if corrupt service providers weren’t appointed for any jobs in the City, they will still be brought to book.
In another investigation, a former City employee faces 94 counts of fraud. This suspect allegedly defrauded the City by issuing export certificates to the value of R100 000 and only charging some of the certificates to the City’s account. He allegedly demanded to be paid in cash for the rest.
Mashaba said this suspect has allegedly been defrauding the City since November 2009 by issuing 94 certificates irregularly. When an investigation into the allegations started in 2012, he resigned.
About two weeks ago, a former Community Development Department facility manager was also arrested by the police. The manager rented out a public community hall but allegedly kept the money in his bank account.
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Mashaba said even if corrupt employees resigned or were dismissed, they are not off the hook.
“We have zero tolerance [of] corruption. This is why we will continue to relentlessly pursue every allegation of corruption. We cannot sit idly by while corrupt officials pocket money meant for the residents of our City.”
To report any fraud and corruption, contact the City’s 24-hour tip-off hotline on 080 000 2587 or visit the corruption unit’s offices at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
