Police swoop in on critical Johannesburg entity

The CEO of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), Themba Mathibe, has reportedly been arrested after being found in possession of a large amount of cash.

Mathibe has served as the JDA CEO for the past two years, but was recently seconded to lead the Johannesburg social housing company (JOSHCO). He doubles up as the acting CEO of JOSHCO.

JOSHCO spokesperson Nthabiseng Mphela declined to confirm or deny the arrest of Mathibe, saying the matter would be left to the relevant authorities.

Mphela did confirm that law enforcement officials were at the municipal housing company’s offices on Monday, 26 January, and questioned employees.

She added that further communication would be provided once police formally communicated with the entity.

The South African police, including the Hawks, who are understood to be involved, have not made any public statement as of yet, and have not responded to queries by the time of publication. Comment will be added when received.

The JDA, which 28-year-old Mathibe has headed for two years, is a municipal entity owned by the City of Johannesburg.

It focuses on initiating, planning, and implementing area-based urban regeneration and infrastructure projects across Johannesburg, with a capital budget of R644 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

At the time of his appointment as JDA CEO, DA spokesperson on Development Planning in Johannesburg, Daniel Schay, said that this perpetuates a trend of politicising key municipal positions.

Mathibe is also a member of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and recently served on its National Executive Committee.

“The previous CEO of JDA was suspended without charges before he was dismissed to make way for Mathibe to become CEO. We have seen job advertisements, and they changed the requirements,” claimed Schay.

“Previously, the requirements for this position were a minimum of 10 years’ experience, The board has changed the requirements for Mathibe to get in to five to 10 years’ experience,” he added.

Mathibe previously served as chief operating officer at JOSHCO before becoming CEO of the JDA.

The Daily Maverick reported how he was named in a forensic investigation into the city paying nearly R1-million for a security wall at an old-age home that did not exist.

Now, governance concerns around Mathibe’s movement between entities have also come into focus following his secondment from the JDA to JOSHCO.

JOSHCO’s primary mandate is to provide affordable rental housing (social housing) to lower- and middle-income households.

The city stated that there was no resolution provided to the current JOSHCO board showing that Mathibe had been suspended or was under investigation.