City of Ekurhuleni’s legal head denies receiving ‘loyalty bonus’ for protecting EMPD’s Mkhwanazi

Former Constitutional Court (ConCourt) judge Mbuyiseni Madlanga at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria. Picture: Gallo Images City of Ekurhuleni head of legal and risk services Khemraj ‘Kemi’ Behari has firmly denied allegations that he received a financial reward for intervening to protect EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action. Behari testified on Monday before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within the criminal justice system.

His appearance followed testimony from several witnesses who implicated him in the handling of disciplinary processes involving senior police officials. He is among those named in the commission’sinterim reportafter preliminary evidence suggested the need for further investigation. During his testimony, Behari detailed his employment history within the municipality.

He told the commission that his remuneration package as head of legal services was R2 055 000, compared with R2 088 551 earned in his previous role. This prompted him to raise concerns with former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi. Behari emphasised that Mashazi could not independently approve salary increases. He explained that the issue was referred to the municipality’s remuneration committee, which then made recommendations to the mayoral committee and, ultimately, the council.