JDA CEO Themba Mathibe granted R50,000 bail on money-laundering charge

By Thapelo Molefe

The chief executive officer of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and acting head of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO), Themba Mathibe, was granted R50 000 bail on Wednesday following his arrest on a money laundering charge.

Mathibe’s arrest comes after an extensive investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) into alleged procurement irregularities at JOSHCO. 

SAPS national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said officers from the Cold Case Unit and the Special Task Force executed a J51 search and seizure warrant at Mathibe’s home and offices, reportedly discovering a substantial sum of cash.

“Following an extensive investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company…The SAPS cold case unit and Special Task Force effected an arrest on a charge of money laundering after the CEO was found with a substantial amount of money at his home,” said Mathe.

“The team was acting on a