Opposition parties react as Ekurhuleni dismisses three senior officials, reinstates EMPD chief

Opposition parties have reacted to the City of Ekurhuleni’s latest shake-up of its senior leadership, welcoming the dismissal of three heads of department while also commenting on the reinstatement of EMPD chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye after a disciplinary process that lasted nearly two years.

Council has authorised city management to dismiss head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, head of legal and risk services Advocate Kemi Behari, and chief information officer Moloko Monyepao for misconduct.

Behari and Gxasheka were placed on precautionary suspension in December 2025 following allegations heard before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

They were later arrested alongside former city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into the alleged abuse of public office, unlawful salary adjustments and the obstruction of internal disciplinary processes.

The criminal case centres on allegations that Behari failed for years to act on disciplinary findings against Mkhwanazi relating to the alleged unlawful installation of blue lights on vehicles belonging to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

The court also heard allegations that Behari and Gxasheka received irregular salary increases totalling about R600 000 in exchange for allegedly ensuring that Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary matter was not pursued.

Attention now turns to suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, whose disciplinary process the city says is at an advanced stage, with further details expected once it is concluded.

Also Read: JUST IN: Four current and former Ekurhuleni officials arrested in corruption probe

Monyepao, meanwhile, was placed on precautionary suspension during an investigation into the city’s estimated R2b billing scandal.

According to the city, his suspension stemmed from serious allegations of mismanagement linked to financial losses arising from inaccurate billing systems, interim meter readings, account manipulations, insufficient administrative oversight and poor management of business systems.

EMPD chief cleared of all charges
Mapiyeye, who had been on precautionary suspension since 2024 over allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of managerial authority made by female staff members, was cleared of all charges and has now been reinstated following the conclusion of the nearly two-year disciplinary process.

FF Plus criticises lengthy disciplinary process
The Freedom Front Plus in Ekurhuleni has described the allegations against Mapiyeye as a “witch-hunt” against a senior official.