UNVEILING CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL INTRIGUE

Johannesburg Property Company CEO Under Further Investigation

If officials were held accountable, the recent exposé on Carte Blanche TV would have shaken the foundations of the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC). The allegations of corruption and political patronage at the JPC paint a disturbing picture of governance in the city of Johannesburg.

Helen Botes, the CEO of the JPC, stands at the center of these allegations. Despite her impressive R3.4 million annual salary, a R413,000 performance bonus, and a R250,000 travel allowance, she now finds herself on special leave as investigations unfold. Her 14-year tenure as CEO, during which the company remained technically insolvent despite receiving R526 million in annual government grants, raises serious questions.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid criminal charges, claiming that the JPC was utilized as an ANC cash cow. The allegations primarily revolve around a questionable R27 million transaction with the owners of a building. This transaction has ignited concerns about potential corruption within the municipal entity.

Investigations have uncovered suspicions of political connections being leveraged by CEO Helen Botes. It is alleged that Botes redirected the R27 million, originally intended for the renovation of Proton House, to secure the support of council members and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). This financial manoeuvre played a pivotal role in the ousting of the former DA Mayor, Mpho Phalatse, further destabilising the already fragile coalition governance of Johannesburg.

The ongoing investigation is a matter of grave concern for the city's residents, as it highlights issues surrounding the management of public funds and potential political influence in these transactions. As the investigation continues, the actions and decisions of key figures, including CEO Helen Botes and former Mayor Mpho Phalatse, remain under scrutiny. The outcomes of this inquiry will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the JPC and the political landscape of Johannesburg.