Johannesburg Development Agency boss and acting Johannesburg Social Housing Company CEO Themba Mathibe (pictured) was arrested on Monday.
Lubabalo Lesolle/Gallo Images
- Johannesburg Development Agency boss and acting Johannesburg Social Housing Company CEO Themba Mathibe was arrested on Monday.
- He was allegedly found with a large amount of cash and has been charged with money laundering.
- He was released on bail of R50 000, and the case was postponed until June.
Johannesburg Development Agency boss and acting Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) CEO Themba Mathibe was granted R50 000 bail by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Mathibe is facing charges of money laundering after he was arrested on Monday, allegedly in possession of a substantial amount of cash.
He made his first court appearance on Wednesday. The State did not oppose his release on bail.
Mathibe’s arrest followed a raid at the City’s social housing offices.
In a statement released on Tuesday, JOSHCO confirmed the raid, adding that some employees were questioned by police at their headquarters.
READ | R71m Gauteng housing project riddled with ‘financial mismanagement’, say EFF, DA
At the time, JOSHCO spokesperson Nthabiseng Mphela said they had not received official communication that any staff or executives – including Mathibe – had been arrested.
“JOSHCO respects the rule of law and the presumption of innocence and believes it is important that legal processes be allowed to unfold without any interference.
“Once the allegations, if any, are formally confirmed through the appropriate legal and governance channels, the JOSHCO board will provide direction on the way forward for the organisation, in line with applicable legislation, governance frameworks, and internal policies,” Mphela said.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Mathibe’s arrest came after an extensive investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities at the City’s social housing company.
READ | Joburg housing officials under fire
Mathe said he was arrested by the police’s cold case unit and the special task force after he was found in possession of a substantial amount of money at his home. While she did not confirm the exact amount, News24 has been reliably informed that it was in the region of R2 million.
“The team was acting on a J51 search-and-seizure warrant, where the accused’s home and offices were raided.
“Investigations continue, and the possibility of effecting more arrests cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Mathe said.
In the interim, the case has been postponed to 2 June.
