FORMER City of Joburg Area Manager for Housing in Region F, Ms Johanna Jacobs, appeared in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court on November 1 on charges of fraud and corruption.
This after the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Housing confirmed to the COURIER two weeks ago that the former Reuven Old Age Home manager was under investigation on allegations of corruption.
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Thirteen allegations of fraud, corruption and irregular conduct were levelled against Ms Jacobs, who managed the Reuven Old Age Home in West Turffontein from January 2011 until February this year. She resigned after learning that she was being investigated.
Ms Jacobs also managed two other retirement homes, Glenesk and Bellavista in the South of Johannesburg. No allegations were levelled against her in relation to these two establishments.
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 Old Age Home in order to bypass the waiting list maintained by the Department of Housing. In her confession, she indicated that she received monies from 11 tenants totalling R18 000.
It is also alleged that some tenants paid their monthly rental money directly to Ms Jacobs and that she did not pay it over to the City, resulting in the tenants running up large arrears with the City.
Some tenants were allegedly instructed by Ms Jacobs not to pay their monthly rent, while others were charged more than the current rate at Reuven, with Ms Jacobs allegedly pocketing the difference after paying the standard rental amount to the City.
Rental reconciliation reports reflect that, as at February 1, there was a total outstanding amount of R1.9-million owed by the tenants of Reuven.
Also Read: REUVEN OLD AGE HOME ARTICLES
In some instances, it is alleged that Ms Jacobs allocated the flats of deceased tenants to her own people and pocketed the monthly rentals.
An investigation conducted by the City of Joburg’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) also revealed that Ms Jacobs colluded with a number of officials from the Department of Housing. Investigations are ongoing and more arrests are imminent.
Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg, Clr Herman Mashaba, said this showed that even if you resigned or were dismissed from the City, this did not mean you were off the hook, as the City would still pursue criminal charges and recoup what was due to it.
“We will also continue to vigorously pursue every allegation of corruption,” the Mayor said. “Corruption has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly, and in collaboration with institutions such as the Hawks, SAPS and all other institutions within the criminal justice system, to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve.
“I would also like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.”
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