Ekurhuleni suspends top officials implicated in Madlanga Commission probe

The City of Ekurhuleni has placed its Head of Legal Services, Kemi Behari, and Head of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, on full suspension.

Both officials have been implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry for allegedly protecting EMPD Chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action. It is alleged that Behari and Gxasheka attempted to suppress an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report, which found Mkhwanazi guilty of entering the EMPD into fraudulent contracts with convicted criminal Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

The pair had been on precautionary suspension since late last year, which has now been upgraded to a full, punitive suspension.

Consequently, they will no longer be allowed to access the City’s offices, and their company-issued devices will be confiscated pending the conclusion of the City’s internal probe. However, even on full suspension, municipal employees continue to receive their full salary and standard benefits.

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Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesperson Tlotleng Ramatolo says their internal probes and disciplinary hearings will now proceed.

"These suspensions form part of the City’s ongoing programme of institutional renewal aimed at strengthening governance systems, reinforcing accountability, and restoring administrative integrity across all departments."

Behari and Gxasheka recently testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about their alleged role in protecting suspended EMPD top cop Julius Mkhwanazi.