Yesterday I learnt that the Gauteng Provincial Government official, in the Department of Human Settlements, who unlawfully accessed City of Johannesburg offices containing files and documents on the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP), has returned 3 files of documents and meeting attendance registers which he had removed.
This is after our Forensic Investigators had established that a sequentially numbered file of documentation, pertaining to the ARP, was missing from the locked offices in which the files were being safely stored.
Our Forensic Investigators have advised that the Gauteng Provincial Government official arrived, on the 18th of June 2019, at the City’s Regional office in Sandton and advised the City’s investigators of where files and meeting attendance registers he had taken could be located. The three (3) files and meeting attendance registers were moved to another office by the Gauteng Provincial Government official after he gained unlawful access to the locked ARP office and removed files containing evidence related to the ARP investigation.
At the time, the MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and COGTA, Lebogang Maile, had allegedly denied the official’s involvement.
The City had communicated the details of the official to the Office of the Premier following the denial.
The recent turn of events conclusively proves the official’s involvement in unlawfully accessing the City’s office and further raises suspicions surrounding the corruption involved in the ARP.
Our forensics unit is in possession of a recorded interview with this Gauteng Provincial Government official in which he confirms that he had unlawfully procured a key for the locked office. In the recording, the official confirms having accessed the locked office.
It is worth noting that this official was formerly employed by the City of Johannesburg within the ARP project. It was also established by the City that no permission was given for keys to be cut or for access to be granted to this official of the Gauteng Provincial Government.
It is outrageous that such an act could have taken place, and it is highly suspicious that such sensitive documentation could be accessed by an official of the Gauteng Provincial Government without the City’s knowledge and/or approval.
We remain uncertain as to whether these are all the files removed and whether evidence contained therein has been tampered with. The sequentially numbered file of documentation, pertaining to the ARP, is also still missing.
Given these latest developments, I have requested that GFIS, headed by General Shadrack Sibiya, lay criminal charges against this official of the Gauteng Provincial Government so that the South African Police Service may further investigate this matter.
I have also written to Premier Makhura, not only notifying him of this new development but also requesting an update on promised action from MEC Maile in respect of his investigation into the matter.
If Premier Makhura is serious about the investigation he initiated into the ARP, he must immediately investigate the actions of this official, and determine on whose instructions this alleged act of criminality was carried out.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
