Thuggery, intimidation threatens Joburg corruption investigation as turf war plays out

Forensic investigators seized with a high-level corruption probe of Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) boss Helen Botes have faced an onslaught of threats and intimidation from trade union Samwu – the latest development in a leadership turf war playing out in the City of Johannesburg. 

This as newly installed City Manager Bryne Maduka ordered that the JPC’s board – and other critical city entities – were forbidden from meeting without his permission, effectively putting the brakes on sweeping corruption investigations and operations. 

Sources in the city say union members have disrupted board meetings, intimidated witnesses in the internal graft investigation and have staged disruptive protests – seemingly acting as a shield for Botes, who is implicated in a dubious R27m splurge on renovations.