Thembile Mathibe, the Acting CEO of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSCHO), was released on R50,000 bail by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. His arrest on Monday by a specialised police unit has ignited controversy over the opacity surrounding the case and JOSCHO’s own ambiguous response.
Mathibe was arrested at his home by members of the SAPS Cold Case Unit and a Special Task Force, who were executing a J51 search and seizure warrant. The arrest is linked to the discovery of a “substantial amount of money” at his residence, leading to a charge of money laundering. The state did not oppose his bail application. He is scheduled to return to court on June 2.
Details surrounding the arrest remain scant. The charge sheet presented in court contained little information, and police spokespersons could not confirm the exact amount of money seized from Mathibe. This lack of official detail was compounded by an initial failure to confirm the arrest to media, despite numerous inquiries.
The case is believed to be connected to a series of alleged irregularities linked to contracts within the City of Johannesburg’s social housing entity. The unfolding scandal took a further confusing turn with the public response from JOSCHO itself.
A JOSCHO spokesperson issued a vague statement that raised more questions than it answered. “We had law enforcement authorities at our head office and some of our employees were questioned,” the spokesperson said. “But we have not received any official communication confirming arrests, including that of our Acting CEO, Mr. Themba Mathibe.”
This ambiguous corporate stance has deepened suspicions around the circumstances of the arrest and the ongoing investigation. Police confirm that their investigations are continuing and indicate that more arrests may be imminent.
Mathibe’s brief court appearance was missed by much of the media, reportedly due to confusion over the timing of his first appearance. He was released under standard bail conditions.