Ekurhuleni launches urgent vetting of 3 500 EMPD officers
Over 3 500 metro police officers, unvetted for four years, will undergo intensive screening in the next two months.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has launched an aggressive campaign to vet over 3 500 members of its EMPD over the next two months, after a four-year lapse in security clearance checks.
The State Security Agency, together with an independent audit firm, will conduct the screenings.
City manager Kagiso Lerutla confirmed that roughly 80 officers will be vetted daily.
“By law, our officers are required to be vetted annually, but because they were last vetted in 2022, the mayor has instructed us to move with speed,” Lerutla said.
The process includes biometric fingerprint scanning and criminal record vetting, rolled out in phases to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Police vetting systems are essential for maintaining public confidence in law enforcement. They ensure that officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, safeguarding the credibility of the EMPD.
The city manager emphasised that any officer with a criminal record will be subjected to the appropriate human resources process.
Completing the vetting process is expected to take two months, after which the EMPD will present a comprehensive report to Executive Mayor Ald Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ekurhuleni’s municipal structures.
Investigations by the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s SAPS Ad Hoc Committee have identified the city as a focal point of wrongdoing, with serious allegations against some EMPD officers.
EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has faced accusations of facilitating access to the municipality for alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, raising concerns over internal oversight and corruption.
Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that the Madlanga Commission had found prima facie evidence of misconduct against nine current and former municipal employees, signalling a broader need for accountability.
Both government and security agencies are closely monitoring the prompt vetting initiative Ekurhuleni is implementing to enhance the trustworthiness of its law enforcement.
