The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) commits to co-operate fully with the SAPS investigators probing allegations of corruption, extortion and kidnapping against a senior specialist for project planning and prioritisation in the city.

At the time of the arrest (last month), the city had already suspended the official for another matter still under investigation, according to the metro.

Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed the city is aware of the recent arrest of one of its officials, saying the matter is with the SAPS, who should be in a better position to detail how the arrests came about.

Kempton Express reached out to Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, but he failed to respond to their request.

The information received suggests the official was arrested in the Northcliff area of Johannesburg.

Dlamini said the city is noting with concern the allegations of extortion, kidnapping and corruption levelled against the official in question.

“The city wishes to state it is categorically clear that we have a zero-tolerance stance to fraud, corruption and other forms of crime. The city believes in good and clean governance and accountability.

“Due to the serious nature of these allegations, we have since launched our internal investigation, which we believe should assist us in reaching an informed decision against anyone implicated.

“As part of this process, the employee allegedly implicated has been suspended to enable further investigations, and the transactions involving the company are also under scrutinisation.

“We further commit to fully co-operate with all the law enforcement agencies dealing with these allegations. As things stand, we fully support the law taking its course.”