More Joburg licensing officials nabbed for fraud and corruption

27 January 2017

 

Seven more licensing centre officials in Johannesburg have been arrested by the elite crime-fighting unit the Hawks on charges of fraud and corruption.

 

This was announced by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba on Thursday January 26.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Mayor, four of the suspects were attached to the Martindale Bulk Licensing Department, while the remaining three were based at the Langlaagte Licensing Department.

The seven suspects were due to appear in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday January 27.

This brings to 15 the total number of licensing centre officials arrested to date. The remaining 100 officials who were identified in a forensic report will be arrested in the coming weeks, according to the statement.

“We have also acted swiftly in ensuring that 72 of the allegedly corrupt licensing centre officials are suspended from their jobs. All 72 officials were given an opportunity to provide reasons as to why they should not be suspended. However, their reasons were found to be unsatisfactory.

“We hope to conduct disciplinary hearings as soon as possible. Due legal process will be followed at all times,” Mayor Mashaba said.

Between January 2008 and February 2016, a total of 972 alleged fraudulent transactions amounting R14.7-million were identified in the City.

Mayor Mashaba applauded General Shadrack Sibiya and his team for their “exemplary work” and their “no fear or favour” approach to rooting out corruption.

“Working closely with the Hawks, the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the residents of this City, we will continue to wage war on corruption.

“I would also like to ask our residents for patience while we continue to rid our licensing centres of corrupt officials. We have hired an additional 40 new staff members, and staff members from other sections within the Licensing Department will be deployed to vacant positions so as to minimise the effect on operations at the centres.

“I have made it clear that corruption is public enemy number one in Johannesburg. We will not rest until we rid this city of corrupt individuals who enrich themselves at the expense of our residents. We must create a professional public service that serves the residents of our city with pride,” the Mayor concluded.