Some Johannesburg city officials are fraudulently issuing negative Covid-19 tests, selling databases containing residents’ billing details, colluding with building hijackers and contractors, and even using dead business owners’ credentials to steal millions of rands worth of fresh produce.
These are among the cases of fraud, corruption and maladministration investigated by the City of Johannesburg’s group forensic and investigation services unit.
Lucky Sindane, the unit’s spokesperson, said they were increasingly encountering such criminal misconduct.
He said 28 convictions had been secured involving officials colluding with building hijackers.
The cost of building the City of Johannesburg's forensic information centre
— R20m
Among the biggest cases this year was the arrest in August of city official Skhumbuzo Manana, 28, for allegedly selling fake negative Covid-19 certificates for R500 each.
Manana, who is on R3,000 bail, appeared in the Palm Ridge magistrate's court in September for allegedly contravening the Medicines and Related Activities Act, uttering and being in possession of suspected stolen goods. The matter was postponed to January 12 for a forensic report.
The number of years it took to design, build, equip and find staff for it
— 3
He has since resigned as manager at the city’s Parkhurst clinic.
Sindane said investigations were under way to establish how many people bought the fake certificates. He said Manana had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Sindane said another major breakthrough was the arrest of city official Lindo Ababio, who worked at the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market. Ababio is on R10,000 bail after appearing in the Johannesburg commercial crimes court on fraud charges totalling R5.5m.
The number of City of Johannesburg officials investigated in malfeasance and maladministration since 2017 by forensic and investigation services
— 1,656
Sindane said Ababio, who is due back in court on January 28, had not yet pleaded.
Ababio, who worked as an accountant at the market, and two accomplices who had fled to Zimbabwe, allegedly activated and loaded money onto the buyer's card of a deceased businessperson, Sindane said. Money was loaded onto the card without supporting documents between October last year and July this year.
In another case, two city officials, who were linked to a R66m fraud involving the upgrade of a power substation for Eldorado Park and Hopefield, were arrested last year, criminally charged and fired.
The number of officials handed over to the Hawks and police for criminal investigations
— 1,042
“The two, who were managers of the project, allegedly colluded with a company that was awarded a contract by City Power. They signed off on invoices for work that was meant to be done but was never completed,” Sindane said.
Other investigations included the city’s revenue services, he said. “This is where the city suffers the most financial losses. Investigations show officials colluding with criminals and contractors, providing them with information on residents' [municipal bills].
“They provide databases containing residents’ details and accounts, and official documents, which the criminals use to con their victims. They coerce residents into paying bribes so that their services aren't suspended.”
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