Extraordinary council meeting to sit in Ekurhuleni over city manager's special leave
Mashazi was placed on special leave two weeks ago, with the council citing legislation that prohibits individuals over the age of 65 from holding senior municipal positions.
Imogen Mashazi. Picture: Facebook/CityOfEkurhuleni
JOHANNESBURG - The Ekurhuleni city council is expected to convene an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the placement of city manager Imogen Mashazi on special leave.
Sources with the council told Eyewitness News that there is a strong possibility her placement on special leave will be reversed.
Mashazi was placed on special leave two weeks ago, with the council citing legislation that prohibits individuals over the age of 65 from holding senior municipal positions.
Her special leave is set to continue until her retirement date in August.
READ: Ekurhuleni City Manager Mashazi refuses to vacate her position
Mashazi, who is Ekurhuleni’s first woman city manager, said after serving the metro for over three decades, she had hoped for a celebratory retirement and not one marked by pain.
Eyewitness News has seen a letter from Mashazi’s lawyers addressed to the city’s leadership, demanding that her placement on special leave be reversed by the end of Tuesday.
Mashazi argues that the decision to place her on special leave was unlawful and unjust, as it insinuates wrongdoing on her part.
She also maintains that former mayor and Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Tanya Campbell, applied for a waiver that would allow her to continue in the role beyond the age of 65.
On Wednesday, the council is expected to discuss this matter behind closed doors.
If no resolution is reached, the two are set to battle it out in court.