Johannesburg - The 11 City of Johannesburg officials within the Revenue Shared Services Centre who were arrested on charges of fraud, theft and corruption were suspended, Mayor Herman Mashaba said.
The officials were suspended on Friday, and will undergo an internal disciplinary process, in line with the City’s prescribed policies and relevant national legislation, he said.
The officials were arrested last week and appeared in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court on Monday.
"Since their arrest last week, a number of other persons have been implicated in similar wrongdoing. The City’s Group Forensic Investigation Unit, in partnership with the [Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation known as the] Hawks, is conducting further investigations and more arrests are expected soon," Mashaba said.
"To date, it is alleged that those implicated in wrongdoing have defrauded the City of about R2.5 million. In some instances, individual property owners colluded with the officials to inflate refunds due to them. As the investigations continue, this number is expected to rise. The City will work with the Asset and Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to recover monies allegedly stolen by those implicated."
Mashaba said that the City would continue to work tirelessly, and in collaboration with institutions such as the Hawks, the police and other institutions within the criminal justice system to root out corruption.
"Our administration remains clear on the mandate received from the residents of our City, to deliver change that stops corruption, delivers services and creates jobs. Nothing will slow down our efforts to deliver on this commitment."