The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that the vetting process for officers in the EMPD is continuing as planned, with no delays reported since the initiative began.

The vetting programme forms part of the municipality’s broader institutional renewal drive aimed at strengthening accountability, rooting out corruption and restoring public confidence in municipal governance and law enforcement.

The city previously embarked on an institutional cleansing campaign that included suspending senior officials implicated in governance and disciplinary matters, as well as introducing a comprehensive vetting system for EMPD officers.

These measures were implemented amid growing concern from residents about the integrity of municipal administration and the accountability of officials entrusted with maintaining law and order.

The annual vetting process officially began on February 16 at the Internal Audit Department offices in Alberton.

It includes biometric fingerprint scanning and criminal record checks to ensure that officers meet the ethical and professional standards required to serve in the EMPD.

]The city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, accompanied by several departmental heads, visited the EMPD offices last week to monitor the implementation of the vetting system and ensure it is conducted effectively.

According to the city, the vetting will be rolled out in phases to prevent disruptions to essential policing services while reinforcing internal accountability mechanisms.

Update expected soon

The Alberton Record contacted the head of communications, marketing and tourism for the City of Ekurhuleni, Phakamile Mbengashe, on March 5 for an update.

Mbengashe confirmed that the process remains on schedule.

“The vetting is still ongoing, and there have been no delays so far,” said Mbengashe.

He added that the city expects to provide an update on the process soon.

“The first report on the vetting process will be communicated in about two weeks, as the process will be marking its first month out of the stipulated two-month period,” he said.

Police vetting systems are widely regarded as a critical safeguard for maintaining public trust, enabling authorities to identify officers with criminal records or questionable conduct and subject them to the appropriate disciplinary or human resources procedures.

Lerutla previously emphasised that any EMPD officer found to have a criminal record would face appropriate internal processes in line with municipal policies and labour legislation.

Once completed, a comprehensive report on the vetting outcomes will be presented to Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

Xhakaza has described the vetting initiative as part of a wider campaign to professionalise the EMPD, strengthen ethical leadership and rebuild confidence in the city’s institutions.

Charges against officials

The city’s accountability drive has also extended to disciplinary action against senior officials.

Those suspended include the head of legal services and risk, Advocate Kemi Behari, and the head of human resources, Linda Qxasheka.

Both have been served with charge sheets and are expected to appear before the city’s disciplinary committee.
Deputy Chief of police Julius Mkhwanazi has also been issued with an additional charge sheet and will face further disciplinary proceedings.

“These measures signal the administration’s intent to enforce consequence management at the highest levels,” Xhakaza said previously.

The municipality has also welcomed a recent court ruling in the case of suspended chief information officer Moloko Monyepao.

His attempt to halt internal disciplinary proceedings through the courts was dismissed with costs, marking the fourth unsuccessful legal challenge he has brought against the city’s disciplinary processes.

City leaders say the combination of vetting, disciplinary action, and governance reforms is essential to restoring institutional integrity after years of political instability and governance challenges from 2021 to 2024.

While the city maintains that these reforms demonstrate a commitment to transparency and ethical leadership, the long-term impact of the measures on public trust and service delivery will likely become clearer once the vetting process is completed.

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