NPA probes Joburg Development Agency boss Themba Mathibe over R2 million cash haul claims

CEO of the Johannesburg Development Agency, Themba Mathibe, is facing money-laundering charges after police allegedly found a substantial amount of cash at his Sandton home. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has launched an urgent internal review after reports suggested the agency “curbed” a case against Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) CEOThemba Mathibe, despite alleged evidence of a R2 million cash‑in‑transit (CIT) heist. Newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi has requested a comprehensive briefing from the Gauteng Local Division (Johannesburg) Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Livingstone Sakata, following the reports.

The NPA said on Saturday that it was “concerned” about a News24 story titled “NPA ‘curbs’ JDA boss Themba Mathibe’s R2m ‘cash-in-transit heist’ case, despite evidence”. The head of communications for NPA, Bulelwa Makeke, confirmed that an internal investigation is under way to verify the allegations. “This follows another story published last Saturday 31 January 2026 by News24 titled “Did the NPA ‘interfere’ in a R64 million fraud and corruption in City of Joburg,” Makeke said. “According to the two stories, the cases could not be enrolled despite an allegation reported by the journalist, that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute.”