Latest news with #GFIS
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
City accused of wasting money investigating its forensic investigators
GFIS was formed in 2016. It was meant to save the city from losing money through corruption and fraud. While the City of Johannesburg is facing financial challenges, it has spent R12 million investigating its own corruption-fighting unit, Group Forensic Investigation Services (GFIS). In a statement on Monday, ActionSA accused the City of Johannesburg of wasting money on investigating GFIS. GFIS has been accused of carrying out spying activities on some ANC councillors, but there has not been tangible evidence despite numerous investigations. 'We strongly encourage those seeking to continue this witch-hunt to instead demand answers as to why over R12 million has been squandered on it to date, with no preliminary report ever seeing the light of day and, after years of work, making no progress. 'This witch-hunt, set to cost residents a total of R40 million or more, simply cannot be justified and, given the city's dismal balance sheet, is an expenditure it cannot afford for what is nothing more than a vendetta-driven exercise that was rightly questioned and suspended pending a review,' said the party's Marcel Countriers. GFIS is one of Herman Mashaba's legacy projects in the City of Johannesburg. He launched this corruption-busting unit to fight the abuse of municipal funds. Mashaba's legacy project Countriers said the current administration in the city is trying to erase Mashaba's good work as mayor of Johannesburg. 'ActionSA will always stand firmly by the fight against corruption launched by Herman Mashaba during his tenure as mayor. 'To the deep displeasure of those who had been looting the city blind, the corruption-busting unit he established, namely the Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), investigated over 6 000 cases involving transactions worth R35 billion, marking one of the most decisive anti-corruption efforts in any municipality in South Africa's history,' said Countriers. Will GFIS close down? Critics said there seems to be a coordinated effort by the current administration to try to close down this corruption-fighting unit. 'Unsurprisingly, attempts to exacerbate the city's current regression have found eager champions in failed former mayor Thapelo Amad, who seems determined to accelerate the decline through unscrupulous demands for pointless witch-hunts. 'This is only aimed at distracting from the fight against corruption by unjustly targeting the very efforts that put an end to the large-scale corruption which brought Johannesburg to its knees,' he said. ALSO READ: '-Move Ramaphosa from Chiawelo to Houghton': Joburg ANC fight heats up Still no evidence of spying Mashaba has denied that GFIS has been used to spy on ANC councillors. This matter was also reported to State Security, but it also did not find any negative findings against GFIS. Last year, a GFIS forensic investigator was shot dead in Johannesburg. It is believed that he was investigating corruption involving members of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). At the time, the city had also proposed extra protection for their GFIS investigators. NOW READ: Morero given ultimatum over MMC's joy ride to KZN
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Gwamanda exposes Sibiya's alleged rogue network as the crisis within SAPS worsens
Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is accused of running a rogue intelligence operation within the City of Johannesburg. In a dramatic public statement released this week, Johannesburg Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda accused Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of running a rogue intelligence operation within the City of Johannesburg, unlawfully procuring surveillance equipment from Israeli contractors and using his position to target political opponents. Gwamanda's statement, issued in his capacity, laid out a chilling picture of institutional capture, political retaliation, and deep-rooted corruption inside the South African Police Service. Gwamanda, who briefly served as Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, alleges that during Sibiya's tenure as Group Head of the City's Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), the unit acquired intelligence-gathering tools through illegal channels, concealed damaging forensic reports, and weaponised law enforcement to protect political allies. 'This raises serious questions about political interference and institutional failure,' said Gwamanda, pointing to a 2022 criminal case he opened against former Mayor Mpho Phalatse, then-Speaker Vasco Da Gama, and the Democratic Alliance, which remains unresolved three years later. Gwamanda's warning was unambiguous: 'The appointment of Sibiya as Deputy Commissioner while he is under investigation is an affront to justice. The president must account for how such an appointment was made.' The councillor also described how, after raising alarms about the illegal operations within GFIS, he became the target of a 'politically motivated smear campaign' led by the same individuals he had accused. Gwamanda claims he was unlawfully arrested in October 2024 without a charge sheet, based on manipulated evidence allegedly manufactured by Sibiya and his allies. After 18 months, the charges were quietly withdrawn due to lack of evidence, but the damage to his reputation remained. His statement referenced recent developments in KwaZulu-Natal, commending Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for speaking out against alleged interference by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Sibiya. 'It is precisely this kind of leadership that victims of politically motivated persecution hope to see,' said Gwamanda. 'I now raise my voice on behalf of countless South Africans who suffer the miscarriage of justice, where victims rely on perpetrators for protection.' Mkhwanazi ignited national controversy on Sunday by accusing Mchunu and Sibiya of undermining critical police investigations into politically motivated killings. He claimed they disbanded a specialised task team without his knowledge and interfered directly with the operations of the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS. Mkhwanazi also presented screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between Mchunu and individuals linked to organised crime, suggesting an active relationship between the Minister and suspected criminal networks. His press conference was backed by armed officers in tactical gear, and his tone was unequivocal: South Africa's crime-fighting machinery is being systematically sabotaged from the top. Yet in the face of these revelations, forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan launched a scathing counteroffensive — not against the accused officials, but against Mkhwanazi. In a media interview, O'Sullivan said he wanted Mkhwanazi 'to fall,' accusing the commissioner of abusing his position and violating the principle of civilian oversight of the police. This isn't O'Sullivan's first clash with SAPS leadership. Last week, he issued an ultimatum to National Commissioner Fannie Masemola to suspend officers recently arrested for corruption or face a court challenge. O'Sullivan claimed these arrests were the result of his 20-year anti-corruption crusade, during which he says he spent over R15 million of his funds and helped bring down two national commissioners and dozens of senior officers. But conspicuously missing from O'Sullivan's criticism is any meaningful scrutiny of Mchunu. Despite the minister being directly accused of colluding with crime syndicates, O'Sullivan has expressed confidence in his integrity. This has prompted some observers to ask a difficult question: Why is Paul O'Sullivan going out of his way to shield Mchunu?
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- The Citizen
Windsor East Courtyard remains a problem
The Courtyard building on Earls Avenue, Windsor East, remains standing, continuing to be a drug den, despite meeting all requirements to be classified as a problem property, as per the Problem Property By-Law Section 7. Read more: Small courtyards ideas for all seasons Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs has been escalating the issue, but faces problems getting it addressed. Several city officials have visited the hazardous and dangerous property, yet with no resolution. She explained that the property has been a significant source of concern since before 2016. Despite numerous attempts to address the matter, the situation remains unresolved. 'The legislation has to be looked at again. At the moment every entity is saying that it's not their problem, including the owners, and this is what we are left with. My concern, however, is not only the lack of action and accountability from the entities, but also that this is a problem property in terms of the problem property by-law. No entity, despite having been made aware of this matter years ago, has made any attempt to declare it a problem property, and taken the necessary action in terms of penalisation.' She added that the city, and residents, spent a substantial amount of money in cleaning up around the property. She confirmed that the property has been abandoned by its owners, many of whom are traceable, but have refused to take responsibility. Some units remain bank-owned, with no intervention or accountability shown by the financial institutions involved. Also read: Region B CRUM continues with service delivery campaign around Randburg 'No municipal services have been paid,' Jacobs said. 'Including rates and taxes. Water and electricity were disconnected years ago. The premises is being used for illegal activities, including the operation of a scrap yard and serving as a drug den. The property is a source of rat infestation and ongoing public dissatisfaction. City resources are being repeatedly deployed to clean up this property, at the expense of other service needs.' The building was a focal point in the recent clean-up by the City of Johannesburg's Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region B and other city departments, during the high impact service delivery initiative. CRUM regional director Sello Lemao explained that, in terms of the building control and by-laws, the building was condemned. 'To be able to demolish the building, on our side, we have to actually obtain the demolition order. That process that is led by Group Forensics and Investigation Service (GFIS). When I came in as regional director, I found that there had been an order, but that order was not executed, simply because GFIS had to do other due diligence as the building belonged to people. They have done a lot and have gone deeper to actually find the owners.' He added now that he is director, he is following up on the new order. 'The new information that I've got is that everything is in place, and that the building, at some point, will be demolished. I want to demolish the building. I'm going to follow up to ensure that this time around, the building is demolished.' GFIS were sent questions about the demolition order, but had not replied by the time of print. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Windsor residents receive valuable information At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
