Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) boss and acting Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) chief executive Themba Mathibe has been granted R50 000 bail after appearing in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a charge of money laundering.
Mathibe was arrested on Monday following an extensive investigation into alleged procurement irregularities linked to the City of Johannesburg’s social housing projects. The arrest was carried out by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) cold case unit, working together with the Special Task Force.
According to police, the investigation culminated in the execution of a J51 search-and-seizure warrant at Mathibe’s home and offices. During the operation, officers allegedly found him in possession of a substantial amount of cash, which forms the basis of the money laundering charge he is now facing.
Mathibe made his first court appearance on Wednesday. The State did not oppose his release on bail, and the magistrate granted bail set at R50 000. The matter was postponed to 2 June 2026 for further investigation and the possibility of additional charges.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the arrest followed a lengthy and thorough investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities at JOSHCO.
“The SAPS cold case unit and the Special Task Force effected the arrest after executing a J51 search-and-seizure warrant. Investigations are ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Mathe said.
Mathibe’s arrest followed a police raid at JOSHCO’s offices earlier this week. In a statement released on Tuesday, the entity confirmed that law enforcement officers had visited its headquarters and that several employees were questioned as part of the investigation.
At the time, JOSHCO spokesperson Nthabiseng Mphela said the organisation had not received official communication confirming that any staff members or executives, including Mathibe, had been arrested.
“JOSHCO respects the rule of law and the presumption of innocence and believes it is important that legal processes be allowed to unfold without any interference,” Mphela said.
She added that the JOSHCO board would wait for allegations to be formally confirmed through the appropriate legal and governance channels before making any decisions regarding the leadership of the organisation.
“Once the allegations, if any, are formally confirmed through the appropriate legal and governance channels, the JOSHCO board will provide direction on the way forward for the organisation, in line with applicable legislation, governance frameworks, and internal policies,” Mphela said.
The case has drawn attention due to Mathibe’s senior roles within the City of Johannesburg and the critical role JOSHCO plays in providing affordable housing in the metro. The organisation manages thousands of social housing units and is central to the city’s inner-city regeneration and housing delivery programmes.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the full scope of the alleged procurement irregularities under investigation, nor the exact value of the transactions being scrutinised. However, police have indicated that the investigation spans several months and involves the examination of contracts, financial records, and cash flows linked to housing projects.
Legal experts say the case highlights growing public scrutiny over governance and transparency in state-owned entities and municipal projects. “Cases like this serve as a reminder of the importance of oversight in organisations handling public funds,” said one analyst.
Mathibe is expected to return to court on 2 June 2026 as the investigation continues.
At the time if print, Mathibe had not commented.
