By Everson Luhanga
- Themba Mathibe faces a money laundering charge after police searched his Sandton home and offices with a warrant on Tuesday.
- The 28-year-old chief executive earns an average monthly salary of R300,000 and heads two Johannesburg municipal companies in senior roles.
Police arrested Johannesburg Development Agency chief executive Themba Mathibe on Tuesday night. Officers from the cold case unit and Special Task Force searched his Sandton home and offices. They found a large amount of cash during the operation.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrest. She said police acted on a J51 search and seizure warrant.
Mathibe was arrested on a charge of money laundering. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests cannot be ruled out, Brigadier Mathe said.
The arrest follows an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company. Mathibe serves as acting chief operating officer at the housing entity.
Mathibe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. He was released on R50,000 bail. The case is expected to return to court while investigations continue.
Sources claim police found more than R1-million in cash at Mathibe’s home. This detail has not been confirmed in court.
At 28 years old, Mathibe is one of the youngest chief executives to lead municipal companies in Johannesburg.
He is chief executive of the Johannesburg Development Agency. He also serves as acting chief operating officer at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company. He earns an average monthly salary of R300,000.
His appointments and rapid rise have drawn criticism in political and civic circles. Mathibe is a former African National Congress Youth League activist in Johannesburg. The party previously promoted him as a symbol of youth leadership.
Allegations of maladministration at the Johannesburg Development Agency have also surfaced. Media reports say at least one board member resigned, claiming corruption is rife at the agency.
Pictured above: Johannesburg Development Agency chief executive Themba Mathibe.
Image source: @JDA_joburg
