Political parties in Joburg troubled by raid at JOSHCO offices

Some political parties in Johannesburg are deeply troubled by the recent police raid at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company’s (JOSHCO) offices.

Law enforcement officers raided the municipal entity’s headquarters in Braamfontein on Monday, as part of an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities.

On the same day, the entity’s former acting CEO, Themba Mathibe, was arrested at his home after he was allegedly found in possession of a substantial sum of cash. He appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates Court on charges of money laundering on Wednesday and was released on R50,000 bail.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it is not surprised by the arrest and allegations against Mathibe. The party said this is based on concerns raised when Mathibe was appointed CEO of another city entity, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), two years ago at the age of 27.

During that appointment, there were allegations that recruitment processes had been breached.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has echoed similar sentiments, with its regional leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, describing the matter as deeply concerning.

"In 2024, the DA revealed information about a 'cadre deployment web of corruption' at JOSHCO, where a suspended chief operating officer, also an ANCYL NEC member, was quietly moved into another senior role despite corruption and maladministration concerns, and staff who raised issues were reportedly intimidated."

Mathibe was arrested by the Special Task Force, which is an elite and specialised police unit. The investigation into the municipal entity's procurement processes remains ongoing.