JPC rejects bribery allegations over R27m Proton House settlement

By Akani Nkuna

The Joburg Property Company (JPC) has denied allegations that a settlement linked to the Proton House lease was corrupt or used to fund payments to councillors involved in the removal of former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse.

“JPC wishes to place on record that the settlement was a lawful contractual resolution and not an irregular payment. All legislative, governance and internal approval processes were followed in the execution of the settlement,” the JPC said in a statement.

The statement followed renewed allegations on Monday, in which former DA federal council chairperson and DA Joburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille alleged that smaller parties were bribed to support a motion of no confidence against Phalatse. Phalatse later backed the allegations, saying they were linked to a case she opened against JPC in October 2022.

JPC said the Proton House matter related to a lease agreement between JPC and Bertocure (Pty)