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Suspect arrested for billing fraud

This morning, I was informed of the arrest of a member of the public by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for defrauding an innocent resident of R19 750.
The suspect will appearing in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court tomorrow and will be charged with fraud. The suspect is an employee of housing and property company.

The police are looking for two more suspects.

One of these suspects is a former employee of the City, based in the Revenue Department. It is alleged that the former employee is involved in a number of fraud cases. The allegations of fraud were brought forward by a member of the public who was defrauded R19 750 by the three suspects in June last year.

In the 2015 the complainant approached the housing and property company for assistance in negotiating with the City for a payment arrangement regarding a water and lights debt of R1,3 million accumulated by Minfield Flat in Hillbrow.

The building accumulated the debt after the owner passed away in 2000.

The complainant paid the suspect R1000 for joining the company in 2015. In April 2016 she paid R7500 for payment arrangements with the City and she was not given a receipt. In June last year the former employee of the City wanted R9000 for clearance certificate and R2250 for a new electricity account.

A tax invoice with the City’s Revenue Department letterhead was issued. When there were no changes in Minfield’s account, the complainant realised they were being defrauded and reported the matter to the City’s Forensic and Investigation Service Department. I would like to commend Commissioner Sibiya’s team for acting swiftly in dealing with this matter.

This is just an example that even if you resign or get dismissed from the City, you are not off the hook, we will pursue criminal charges and recoup what is due to our residents.

I’m appealing to anyone who might have information that will result in the arrest of the two more suspects, who are on the run, to please come forward. 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.

Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor 
City of Joburg
For further information contact:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Services
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
or
Luyanda Mfeka
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Tel: 011 407 6727
076 171 5978