The Gauteng High Court has ordered City of Johannesburg (CoJ) acting city manager Floyd Brink to reinstate the investigative powers of the head of the metro's anti-corruption unit, Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
Sibiya approached the high court in Johannesburg in a bid to have his powers reinstated after they were revoked by Brink on April 11. Brink alleged Sibiya had been occupying his role without a clearance certificate, and had allegedly signed off on the purchase of intelligence-gathering tools without authority from the SSA.
Mayoral spokesperson Mabine Seabe confirmed on Thursday that the city was aware of the order and would abide by the decision to reinstate Sibiya’s powers.
“Commissioner Sibiya shall remain on voluntary leave until the State Security Agency has completed its probe into the tools of trade used by the Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS).
“Ultimately, the integrity of GFIS and its leadership is tantamount, so any probe must be given space to be concluded. Once the probe is completed, GFIS can get on with its work of combating corruption, co-ordinating efforts to stop attacks on the city's economic infrastructure and taking back hijacked buildings in the inner city,” said Seabe.
On Wednesday, Sunday Times Daily reported that Sibiya went on voluntary leave pending investigations into his conduct regarding allegations that he unlawfully procured intelligence-gathering tools.
Sibiya’s absence from work came as the State Security Agency (SSA) confirmed on Tuesday it had received a referral from the office of the inspector-general of intelligence (OIGI) to investigate Sibiya’s alleged conduct in connection with a complaint laid by Brink.
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