Ekurhuleni legal head Behari rejects claim R600k salary hike was linked to shielding Mkhwanazi

Advocate Khemraj ‘Kemi’ Behari, head of the Risk and Legal Services Department of the City of Ekurhuleni testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Monday. The head of Risk and Legal Services at the City of Ekurhuleni, Advocate Khemraj ‘Kemi’ Behari, has steadfastly denied that his hefty R600 000 salary increase was in any way linked to protectingEkurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action. Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action.

Behari, who has been called to testify at theMadlanga Commission of Inquiry, dealt with the issue of Mkhwanazi’s suspension in 2023.The disciplinary action in question was related to Mkhwanazi’s three-months precautionary suspension for his alleged involvement in entering into two memoranda with companies linked to alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala out of keeping with municipal regulations. Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, dealt with the issue of Mkhwanazi’s suspension in 2023. The disciplinary action in question was related to Mkhwanazi’s three-months precautionary suspension for his alleged involvement in entering into two memoranda with companies linked to alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala out of keeping with municipal regulations.

Behari was suspendedin November last year for allegedly failing to take disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, who was also suspended last year. in November last year for allegedly failing to take disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, who was also suspended last year. In 2023, Mkhwanazi was facing charges of gross misconduct for allegedly facilitating the unlawful donations of vehicles by Matlala’s companies to Ekurhuleni and having them fitted with blue lights. When Mkhwanazi’s suspension was due to expire, investigator Colonel Hennie Erasmus, Head of Internal Affairs, wrote to Behari seeking advice on whether the suspension could be extended.