Two officials implicated in corruption during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have been placed on full suspension by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Ekurhuleni head of legal services and risk, Kemi Behari, and head of human resources, Linda Qxasheka, were placed on precautionary suspension in December for their alleged roles in corruption with the metro’s police department.
Executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza on Monday confirmed that the pair had had their suspensions upgraded to full suspensions.
The mayor stated that both had been served with charge sheets detailing their alleged misconduct and would appear before a disciplinary committee in due course. Â
Behari and Qxasheka were both mentioned during the Madlanga Commission and were referenced in the interim report that suggested further investigation was required.
The pair were accused by commission witnesses as having shielded Deputy Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi from accountability.
Behari appeared before the commission last week and denied receiving any financial reward for protecting Mkhwanazi or for interfering in disciplinary processes against the suspended deputy chief.
Additional charges for Mkhwanazi
The municipality’s Chief Information Officer, Moloko Monyepao, was also placed on precautionary suspension last April regarding alleged billing irregularities that cost the municipality an estimated R2 billion. Â
Monyepao was again in court on Monday after approaching the courts to interdict a pending disciplinary process, but the court dismissed the application with costs.
The city noted it was the suspended CIO’s fourth unsuccessful legal attempt, with each attempt seeing him suffer cost orders.
Xhakaza also stated that Mkhwanazi was set to face additional charges after receiving an additional charge sheet.
“All processes are being conducted in line with established legislative and labour relations procedures to ensure fairness, due process, and compliance,” stated the mayor.
“This outcome reinforces our renewal agenda, which seeks to restore institutional integrity, strengthen governance systems, and safeguard public resources.
“Our focus is on building a capable, ethical administration that commands public confidence through consistent and lawful action,” said Executive Mayor Xhakaza.
EMPD vetting
In November, the Madlanga commission heard how over 300 EMPD officers had criminal records or were awaiting trial on serious offences.
As of 2022, 38 officers were awaiting trial – 15 for murder, 15 for fraud and a further eight for robbery.
Xhakaza stated a force-wide vetting of officers would be undertaken to “professionalise the institution” and tighten internal compliance.
“The vetting of EMPD officers is a critical step in strengthening governance systems, promoting ethical conduct, and ensuring that our law enforcement agencies operate beyond reproach, the mayor concluded.
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