ActionSA has slammed the City of Ekurhuleni administration, saying the continued inability to conclude disciplinary matters was undermining the credibility of the city.
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ActionSA has slammed the City of Ekurhuleni administration, saying the continued inability to conclude disciplinary matters was undermining the credibility of the city.
The party said in a statement that residents had witnessed suspended officials drawing full salaries while disciplinary processes were left pending indefinitely. “Such delays cannot be attributed to administrative processes alone. They represent a clear failure of consequence management that erodes public trust and accountability.”
The party said concerns were heightened by the arrest of officials who remained under investigation, including deputy chief of police Julius Mkhwanazi, former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi, head of corporate legal services Kemi Behari and head of department for human resources Linda Gxasheka.
“Considering these serious allegations, the City’s continued failure to conclude internal disciplinary proceedings has resulted in prolonged uncertainty across essential departments.
“The continued payment of full salaries to senior officials within law enforcement and administration, despite unresolved disciplinary processes, projects a message of impunity. This approach suggests that political considerations outweigh accountability and that delays in finalising cases can occur without consequence.
“The City of Ekurhuleni’s commitment to clean governance is undermined when disciplinary matters against accused officials are left unaddressed. The inability to finalise these processes has led to a sustained decline in public confidence and continues to negatively affect service delivery, with key leadership posts remaining unresolved,” read the statement.
ActionSA said it was of the view that accountability must be both immediate and demonstrable. “We call on the ANC-led Coalition to prioritise the conclusion of all outstanding disciplinary processes, enforce consequences for those found responsible, and reaffirm that the City of Ekurhuleni is committed to serving the interests of its residents above all else.”
Meanwhile the DA’s Khathutshelo Rasilingwane welcomed the arrest of Mashazi and Behari. “Just yesterday we supplemented our criminal case against Mashazi with further whistleblower information.
“These arrests are a result of sustained efforts at accountability by multiple actors, including the Madlanga Commission, the press, whistleblowers and the DA, as we have been building our criminal case against Mashazi for months.
“However, this must not be the end. We call on law enforcement to act without fear or favour wherever credible evidence exists. Those responsible for corruption, maladministration and obstructing accountability must face the full might of the law,” Rasilingwane said.
She further said Mashazi was once known in the halls of Ekurhuleni’s administration as untouchable and dangerous. “She is neither untouchable nor above the law. We look forward to seeing her in the accused's stand in court. She has a lot to answer for.
“The fight to clean up Ekurhuleni has just started, and the corrupt cannot hide anymore. Electing Mayor Khathu Rasilingwane will level up the fight to clean up our city. Ekurhuleni’s residents need more arrests, filled accused benches, and convictions.”
Rasilingwane said the people of Ekurhuleni deserved a municipality that served residents, not one that protected those accused of abusing public office.
ActionSA also announced that its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, would lead a community march to the Etwatwa Police Station to demand the immediate removal of the station commander following growing concerns over crime, policing failures, and the deterioration of public safety in the area.
“The march forms part of ActionSA’s commitment to stand with communities that have lost confidence in local policing and to demand greater accountability from the South African Police Service (SAPS),” it said in a statement.
A memorandum outlining the community’s grievances and demands will be handed over to police representatives.