DA opens criminal case against City of Joburg's acting COO

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opened a criminal case against the City of Johannesburg's acting Chief Operating Officer (COO), Helen Botes. 

She is accused of financial mismanagement, which led to R18 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. 

An investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has linked Botes to the irregular awarding of a contract in 2021 to provide cleaning and sanitation services to the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC).

Botes has a string of corruption allegations against her, but remains one of the metro's most influential top officials. 

An investigation by the SIU revealed that Botes and four former colleagues inflated quotes submitted to service providers, resulting in financial losses of over R18 million. 

READ: CoJ stands by decision to appoint Helen Botes as acting COO

Although Botes was previously suspended and later reinstated at the JPC, she was ultimately promoted to serve as the city's COO. 

DA Johannesburg Caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, is hoping the criminal case opened against Botes will bring some measure of accountability. 

"We have formally requested that this matter be escalated to the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority. Johannesburg residents deserve to know the truth and deserve real accountability. This is not about politics, it's about principle." 

The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry also named Botes as one of the officials who must be held accountable for the Usindiso building fire.