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Former property valuer busted

A former official of the City of Johannesburg who worked as a property valuer has been arrested on fraud and corruption charges.

This follows the airing of a Carte Blanche exposé on November 6, 2016 on irregularities in the setting of Johannesburg property valuations as well as an investigation conducted by an internal forensic investigations unit, led by the city's head of internal investigations, Shadrack Sibiya.

The woman is accused of colluding with property owners and enabling properties worth as much as R120-million to evade paying rates.

She is expected to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday.

"She was identified as the person responsible for irregular and fraudulent adjustments and devaluing of 22 properties in the city amounting to millions of rands.

"The fraudulent adjustments and changes of the market values of the properties, by invalid Municipal Objection Outcome letters, resulted in the loss of an estimated R40-million worth of revenue over five financial years," a statement from the city said on Wednesday.

A deputy director in the city who was exposed in the Carte Blanche episode has also been suspended pending disciplinary processes.

"We also intend on going after private companies and individuals who colluded with these officials to erode the integrity of the city and steal from our residents.

"These individuals must face the full might of the law and stolen money returned," the statement said.

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