A City of Johannesburg employee will today appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court where she will be charged with theft.
The employee was arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly stealing cartridges and microcassette recordings.
It is alleged that the cartridges and microcassette recordings were packaged in an office ready to be moved to another department.
A day before the goods were moved the suspect left her workplace at about 15h30 and returned to the office two hours later with her boyfriend. CCTV footage captured the suspect pushing a wheelie bin stuffed with cartridges and other goods covered with pieces of carpet. They then offloaded the goods into their vehicle and left the Metropolitan Council building.
The following day her colleagues noticed that some cartridges were missing. The matter was then reported to the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) team, which conducted a preliminary investigation.
The team established that indeed the cartridges and the microcassette recordings were allegedly stolen by the City official.
I have instructed the team to also investigate the security guard that let the suspect’s vehicle leave the premises with stolen goods. Vehicles are searched before leaving the building and this should have been picked up.
I must admit that I am deeply disappointed after learning that these corrupt activities are still continuing.
Officials who are found to be stealing from the City or engaged in corrupt activities must be dealt with in the harshest way possible.
We have zero tolerance for corruption. That is why we will continue to vigorously pursue every allegation of corruption.
Corruption has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly, and in collaboration with institutions within the criminal justice system to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve.
I would like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24hour tipoff hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the offices of GFIS situated at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
For further information contact,
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Services
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
