The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has launched sweeping legal offensive against senior City officials embroiled in R18.3 million corruption scandal at the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC).
DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku announced on Wednesday criminal cases were filed against former JPC CEO Helen Botes, ex-CFO Imraan Bhamjee, and three other high-ranking managers—Fitzgerald Ramaboea, Gowrie Sunker, and Nandisa Zondo—following damning Special Investigating Unit (SIU) findings under Proclamation R23 of 2020.
The SIU probe exposed systemic procurement fraud and financial mismanagement, with Kayser-Echeozonjoku accusing the ANC-EFF-PA-ActionSA coalition of shielding suspects through inaction and a controversial legal opinion aimed at discrediting investigators.
“We’ve exhausted every council mechanism while corruption architects boasted political immunity,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku, revealing whistleblower accounts of officials claiming untouchable status.
The DA has escalated a 300-page evidence dossier to police, including SIU reports and the City’s disputed legal review, while warning that recent threats against anti-corruption advocates “won’t be dismissed as coincidental.”
With the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority now pressured to intervene, the move marks Johannesburg most aggressive corruption crackdown since the SIU first uncovered the rot five years ago.
“Where the City failed, we’ll ensure no politically connected individual escapes accountability,” vowed Kayser-Echeozonjoku, framing the legal battle as a last stand for fiscal integrity in South Africa economic hub.
Discover more from Lephalale Express
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be First to Comment