The man, who has been working for the council for 11 years, joins over 100 officials who have either been suspended or fired, or have voluntarily resigned, for a variety of offences, including fraud, corruption, theft, and unauthorised, irregular, fruitless or wasteful expenditure, since Mashaba took over the municipality a year ago.
Eighty-one employees were suspended, 12 resigned and seven were dismissed.
The man, who cannot yet be identified, was expected to appear at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
According to Mashaba, the former employee rented out the hall to a prominent pastor for R21 000 in 2014 without authorisation. This was discovered by an investigation previously conducted in 2016 by the city’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS).
Lucky Sindane, strategic stakeholder manager of the GFIS, said they became aware of what had happened only when the pastor approached the council shortly afterwards and asked for a receipt.
“When we checked the system, the transaction was not there,” Sindane said.
He said the man went through an internal disciplinary hearing early this year and was found guilty of corruption and theft. He was dismissed as a city employee in May, but this did not stop the council from taking legal action against him.
Mashaba said that was an example that even if someone resigned or was dismissed from the council, they were not off the hook.
“We will pursue criminal charges and recoup what is due to the city. That is why we will continue to vigorously pursue every allegation of corruption.”
Mashaba said there was no place for corruption in the municipality.
“We will work tirelessly, and in collaboration with institutions such as the Hawks, SAPS and all other institutions within the criminal justice system to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve,” he said.
Source: https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/mashaba-fires-another-official-in-corruption-crackdown-10876592
