Ekurhuleni suspended HR boss flagged the ‘dangerous’ Mkhwanazi

Suspended Ekurhuleni head of human resources Linda Gxasheka has claimed to have initiated the suspension ofJulius Mkhwanazidespite being warned he is “dangerous”. Gxasheka is accused of working with former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi to protect Mkhwanazi, the suspended metro police deputy chief, from being subjected to a disciplinary hearing for fraud allegations. Gxakashe said the allegations of Mkhwanazi fitting blue lights to a fleet belonging toVusimusi “Cat” Matlalawere brought to her attention in February 2023 via WhatsApp by former employee relations department head Xolani Nciza, who was his subordinate at the time.

The message had a video clip showing a vehicle fitted with blue lights and its registration was included in the caption. She said Nciza subsequently requested a meeting to discuss Mkhwanazi’s suspension. “A few days later a meeting was held; Xolani [Nciza] and EMPD chief Jabulani Mapiyeye [Mkhwanazi’s superior] engaged me.

The conversation changed very fast and Mapiyeye focused on how dangerous Mkhwanazi was and was scared of him,” she said, adding that Mapiyeye told them that he was beefing up security at his home. She said Mapiyeye also organised security for Nciza. Eventually Gxasheka said she left the meeting without signing the suspension and Mapiyeye kept on calling, telling her to sign it.

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“I have a professional duty despite being safe or not. Chair, I want it to be recorded that I ultimately signed the intention to suspend despite no security risk assessment,” she said. She said Mapiyeye promised to get her security detail but never delivered on the promise. Gxasheka also denied allegations by Nciza that she advised Mkhwanazi not to accept a charge sheet.

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