Kamogelo Moichela|Published1 hour agoBehari admits inaction let EMPD Deputy Chief off the hook | Madlanga Commission

Suspended City of Ekurhuleni legal head, adv. Kemi Behari, has admitted to letting the suspension of the suspended EMPD acting chief, commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, slide. Suspended City of Ekurhuleni legal head, Advocate Kemi Behari, has admitted that he failed to ensure the re-suspension of EMPD acting deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, allowing the controversial blue lights case to quietly lapse despite its seriousness.

Behari testified before the Madlanga Commission on Monday that responsibility for extending suspensions or advancing disciplinary action rested with the former city manager or the head of human resources, not his office. Mkhwanazi was suspended in February 2023 after allegations that he authorised the installation ofblue lights on vehicles linked to alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi went as far as unlawfully signing memorandums of understanding with companies linked to Matlala.

This being CAT VIP. Hennie Erasmus from the EMPD’s Integrity and Standards Unit, who later sought legal support to extend the suspension as it neared expiry. Behari told the commission that when Erasmus approached him in May 2023, he identified what he described as serious evidentiary gaps and insisted they be addressed before he could draft a legal notice supporting an extension.

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He said discussions stalled, meetings were delayed, and by the time he sought engagement with the chief of police, the suspension had already expired. Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga cut to the heart of the matter, telling Behari that he had effectively allowed the suspension to lapse. Behari conceded the point, admitting that in hindsight he should have supported an extension, but maintained that he lacked the authority to act unilaterally.

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