Four former senior Ekurhuleni officials have appeared in court on fraud and corruption charges linked to alleged unlawful salary increases, appointments and efforts to halt disciplinary proceedings against former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi over the controversial blue light saga involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. Prosecutors allege former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, HR executive Linda Gxasheka and legal head Adv Kemi Behari protected Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action before approving salary adjustments that allegedly cost the municipality R2.66 million. All four were granted R50,000 bail as investigations continue, with authorities indicating further arrests remain possible.
Image: IOL Graphics
As residents endured dry taps, pothole-ridden roads and collapsing municipal services, prosecutors allege some of Ekurhuleni's most senior officials were working behind the scenes to protect one another, derail accountability and unlawfully enrich themselves at taxpayers' expense.
Former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, former human resources executive Linda Gxasheka and the city's head of legal services, Adv Kemi Behari, appeared in the Germiston Magistrate's Court this week on charges of fraud and corruption.
All four were granted R50,000 bail.
At the centre of the state's case is an alleged plan to stop disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi after both internal investigators and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate recommended that he face action over the controversial blue light saga.
The two had spent two nights behind bars following their arrest on Wednesday.
Image: FILE
Mkhwanazi allegedly helped to fit the blue lights in Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the underworld tycoon.
According to prosecutors, both the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and Ekurhuleni's internal investigators concluded that disciplinary proceedings should be instituted.
Instead, the state alleged, the process was deliberately brought to a halt.
Court papers claim Mashazi instructed Gxasheka and Behari to withdraw the disciplinary proceedings, effectively shielding Mkhwanazi from accountability.
The prosecution alleged that the decision was followed by attempts to increase the salary packages of Gxasheka and Behari.
Documents were allegedly prepared for the municipality's remuneration committee, which approved the proposed increases.
But prosecutors say the process hit a legal obstacle when the municipal council declined to endorse the adjustments.
Despite that, the state alleged the salary increases were implemented anyway, with payments processed using an earlier mayoral committee approval.
Those payments allegedly continued from August 2023 and remain part of the criminal case now before the court.
Julius Mkhwanazi and Kemi Behari have been granted bail.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Media
Investigators claim the disputed salary adjustments cost the municipality an additional R2.66 million between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years.
According to the charge sheet, Behari's annual remuneration increased from just over R2.05 million to more than R2.71 million within weeks, while Gxasheka allegedly received an identical adjustment.
The prosecution also alleged that Mkhwanazi secured a remuneration package worth about R1.7 million shortly after taking up his position despite not completing the required assessment process.
Court documents further claim that after receiving his appointment offer, Mkhwanazi requested placement on a higher salary scale.
Prosecutors alleged Gxasheka motivated for the increase and that Mashazi approved it.
The criminal charges stem from broader scrutiny of governance inside one of Gauteng's biggest metros, where allegations surrounding appointments, remuneration and decision-making have fuelled years of public concern.
Although several other allegations involving municipal affairs have surfaced in separate investigations and public inquiries, the charges currently before the court relate specifically to alleged fraud and corruption linked to promotions, salary adjustments and the handling of disciplinary processes.
During the bail hearing, the state did not oppose applications by Mkhwanazi and Behari, and each was granted bail of R50,000.
Mashazi and Gxasheka were not immediately granted bail after prosecutors argued that further verification of their property details was required before their applications could be finalised.
Ironically, all four accused spent Thursday night behind bars because the court's bail office had closed before the paperwork could be completed.
Outside court, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the accused had "a case to answer" and that prosecutors intended to move swiftly.
"The charges relate to allegations of fraud and corruption, particularly concerning promotions," he said.
He added that the outstanding address verification process formed part of ensuring the integrity of the bail proceedings.
Both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police have indicated that the investigation remains active, raising the possibility that additional suspects could still be brought before the courts.
For residents of Ekurhuleni, where persistent complaints over deteriorating infrastructure, unreliable services and governance failures have dominated public debate, the outcome of the case is likely to be closely watched as prosecutors attempt to prove that senior officials placed personal interests above their duty to protect public resources.
IOL Politics