Gxasheka defends salary increase amid allegations of shielding corrupt metro officials

Linda Gxasheka, the suspended Head of Human Resources for the Ekurhuleni Municipality, has denied allegations that her salary increase was a "loyalty reward" for protecting corrupt individuals within the metro.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, Gxasheka responded to claims that she was part of an internal clique dedicated to shielding Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

The scrutiny follows a 2023 report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which found that Mkhwanazi had unlawfully entered the Metro Police Department into an irregular contract.

The contract was awarded to a security company owned by alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.

Previous witnesses at the commission alleged that senior managers were incentivised with significant salary adjustments to protect Mkhwanazi. Among those cited were:

Kemi Behari: The suspended Head of Legal, who reportedly received a R600,000 increase in 2023.

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Linda Gxasheka: Who received a salary hike in the same year, despite having only served a few months in her position.

During her testimony, Gxasheka maintained that there was nothing untoward regarding her remuneration, attributing the increase to a formal salary review and her professional merit.

"There was no favour that was done for me and Advocate Kemi," Gxasheka testified.

"The item first went to the Remunerations Committee and then the Mayoral [Committee]. [Former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen] Mashazi called me and asked me how all those MMCs agreed that this money be given to you. It’s a salary review."

Gxasheka further argued that her rapid advancement was a reflection of her hard work rather than political shielding.

"I came to the City of Ekurhuleni quite senior; I have implemented so many achievements that I have not put here, hence the promotion that I got. I said earlier when I was at the City of Johannesburg I had three to four promotions, that’s how hard I work."

Gxasheka is scheduled to continue her testimony tomorrow, where she is expected to face rigorous cross-examination regarding her statements and the timeline of her promotion.