Joburg Speaker launches investigation into alleged corrupt councillors
Johannesburg Speaker, Collen Makhubele has authorised an investigation into alleged corruption and fraud in the city that allegedly implicates both officials and councillors
“The Municipal Council took an unprecedented step and approved the report that was tabled by the executive and reviewing the rogue, clandestine, irregular and unlawful investigations of the Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) which were sanctioned by the previous administration to deal with political opponents and/or victimise senior officials,” said the Speaker’s office in a statement.
This allegedly follows a disclosure made by one of the officials who were at the centre of the alleges rogue and clandestine investigations and after various complaints that were submitted to the former Speaker of Council Vasco da Gama, and former mayor Mpho Phalatse.
The Speaker alleges these were suppressed “to protect certain persons whom were behind these questionable investigations.”
This investigation comes hot on the heels of allegations against the current mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda who has been accused of allegedly “swindling and scamming” Soweto residents through a funeral services scheme, which he ran through iThemba Lama Afrika.
He is being investigated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
This investigation, however, will interrogate alleged unlawful investigations and pre-employment screening reports for the purpose of ousting qualifying candidates.
It will also look at evidence by the State Security Agency (SSA) that a Digital Forensic Equipment (DFE) which remotely accesses, intercepts and stores electronic communication from various electronic devices without the owner noticing.
In addition, it will cover allegations that senior managers and councillors operated through reporting arrangements and performed crime intelligence functions.
Allegations of fraud in appointment processes will also be included in the probe.
“We appeal to affected parties to cooperate with the above processes, and to interested parties to allow the City of Johannesburg space to handle the matter with the care and sensitivity it deserves,” Makhubele said in the statement.
