Head of Legal Risk Services of the City of Ekurhuleni, Advocate Khemraj ‘Kemi’ Behari, was arrested on Wednesday by the Commission's Recommendations Task Team under the SAPS.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
FOUR current and former Ekurhuleni municipal officials have been arrested by the SAPS in connection with a corruption investigation stemming from the Madlanga Commission's findings, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspects were arrested by the Commission's Recommendations Task Team.
Mathe said the suspects were nabbed during a takedown operation conducted in various parts of Johannesburg.
"Those arrested include current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality," Mathe said.
She said the suspects are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
"The SAPS will provide further details once the suspects have appeared in court," she said.
According to reports, former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi was allegedly instructed to present herself to investigators on Wednesday.
The arrests are linked to recommendations made by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which investigated allegations of corruption, abuse of power and misconduct within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the municipality.
Mashazi previously appeared before the commission to answer allegations against her, including claims that she protected suspended EMPD acting chief commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action.
She also faced scrutiny over an alleged R3.5 million private jet trip to London in 2022, which was reportedly funded by companies that had benefited from municipal tenders awarded by the City of Ekurhuleni.
However, the commission's findings extended beyond the allegations against Mashazi and recommended criminal investigations into several current and former metro and EMPD officials after uncovering evidence that required further investigation.
The latest arrests come hours after the arrest of suspended Ekurhuleni head of legal services Kemi Behari on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after his disciplinary hearing.
Behari was reportedly arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
The Madlanga Commission heard allegations that Behari and Mashazi protected Mkhwanazi from facing disciplinary proceedings linked to claims that he had fitted blue lights to a fleet of vehicles belonging to businessman and alleged cartel figure Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala in 2022.
The commission also heard allegations that Behari and former human resources head Linda Gxasheka received irregular salary increases amounting to about R600,000 in exchange for their alleged loyalty in ensuring that disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi did not proceed.
Former municipal employee relations head Xolani Nciza testified that disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi were abruptly halted in 2023.
Behari has denied the allegations.
According to reports, the other suspects arrested include a former senior Ekurhuleni law enforcement official and a senior manager who testified before the Madlanga Commission.