The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has temporarily suspended housing allocations and subsidy approvals from its Ekurhuleni regional office following the arrest of an administrative clerk from its Alberton office in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate a senior departmental official.

The administrative clerk, Tonia Mphemba Hlongwane (48), and co-accused Thulani Collen Ndwandwe (49) appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. The pair remain in custody and are expected to return to court on July 13 for a formal bail application.

Responding to the arrests, Chief Director: Communication Services at the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, Tahir Sema, said the department condemns “in the strongest terms” the alleged intimidation, threats and violence directed at the senior official.

According to Sema, the official was allegedly targeted after acting to block corruption involving the illegal sale of government-subsidised RDP and Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses to non-beneficiaries.

“The safety and wellbeing of the official, and of all departmental employees, remains a priority, and appropriate support and protective measures are being provided,” said Sema.

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“In line with applicable labour relations prescripts, the department is taking the necessary internal steps to deal with this matter, in parallel with the criminal process,” he said.

Sema said the department has placed a temporary hold on housing allocations and subsidy approvals from its Ekurhuleni regional office while an internal audit is conducted to safeguard the integrity of the housing waiting list and subsidy allocation processes.

“The department reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to corruption within the housing allocation system. Steps are being taken to review and strengthen internal controls at the affected office to safeguard the integrity of the housing waiting list and subsidy allocation processes,” Sema said.

The Hawks’ investigation, which began in 2024, led to the arrest of the two suspects after the senior official allegedly became the target of threats linked to suspected corruption involving the illegal sale of government-subsidised RDP and BNG houses to non-beneficiaries.

Ndwandwe was arrested in Dundonald, Mpumalanga, where several licensed firearms and ammunition were seized for forensic examination. Hlongwane was later arrested at the Alberton Human Settlements office, where laptops and cellular phones were seized for digital forensic analysis.

Sema urged residents to report suspected corruption or fraud in the housing allocation system through the appropriate channels.

Residents can report suspected housing fraud to the Gauteng Provincial Government Hotline on 0860 428 8364 or by email at EthicsDHS@gauteng.gov.za.

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