The Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, has confirmed the full suspension of the Head of Department for Legal Services and Risk, Advocate Kemi Behari, along with the Head of Department for Human Resources, Linda Qxasheka.
The city explained that the suspensions are part of an ongoing programme of institutional renewal designed to strengthen governance, enhance accountability, and restore administrative integrity across its departments.
Both officials have been formally served with charge sheets and are expected to appear before the City’s Disciplinary Committee. The municipality said internal processes will proceed in accordance with its disciplinary framework, applicable labour legislation and municipal policies.
Behari previously testified before the Madlanga Commission, where he alleged political interference in a disciplinary case against former chief operations officer Lesiba Mojapelo. He told the commission that businessman Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza had lobbied for the case to be dismissed.
According to his testimony, the Mojapelo matter was the only disciplinary case he personally handled due to its seriousness and financial implications, which involved more than R100 million in Grants-in-Aid funding. Behari further alleged that evidence pointed to DJ Sbu and TK Nciza as beneficiaries of a scheme linked to Mojapelo’s conduct.
In a related development, the City confirmed that Deputy Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi will be served with an additional charge sheet and will also appear before the Disciplinary Committee. The municipality said all proceedings are being conducted in line with legislative and labour relations requirements to ensure fairness and due process.
Xhakaza also welcomed the outcome of recent court proceedings involving suspended Chief Information Officer Moloko Monyepao, who had sought to interdict the City’s internal disciplinary process. The court dismissed the application with costs, marking the fourth unsuccessful legal challenge by Monyepao related to the City’s disciplinary actions.
“The City remains firm in its commitment to consequence management and to ensuring that internal disciplinary processes proceed without obstruction or undue delay. We welcome the court’s affirmation that the City is entitled to advance its internal processes in line with the law,” said Xhakaza.
“This outcome reinforces our Renewal Agenda, which seeks to restore institutional integrity, strengthen governance systems, and safeguard public resources. Our focus is on building a capable, ethical administration that commands public confidence through consistent and lawful action,” he added.
Xhakaza further confirmed the commencement of a vetting process for officers within the EMPD, describing it as part of broader efforts to professionalise the institution and reinforce public trust in municipal law enforcement.
“The vetting of EMPD officers is a critical step in strengthening governance systems, promoting ethical conduct, and ensuring that our law enforcement agencies operate beyond reproach. This process will contribute meaningfully to protecting the integrity of the EMPD, rooting out wrongdoing, and ensuring that the men and women in uniform serve our communities with honour and discipline,” Xhakaza said.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star