All four accused in Ekurhuleni corruption probe now on bail

The accused were recently arrested by the SAPS Commission’s Recommendations Task Team as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.

2 hours ago

Fanie Mthupha 1 minute read

Former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi during bail proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday, July 9. Picture: Fanie Mthupha.

The Germiston Magistrate’s Court today (July 10) granted former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and the metro’s suspended head of human resources, Linda Gqxasheka, bail of R50 000 each.

Former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi during bail proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday, July 9.

Suspended City of Ekurhuleni head of human resources Linda Gqxasheka during her bail application in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Mashazi and Gqxasheka first appeared in court on July 9, alongside their co-accused, suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and the City of Ekurhuleni’s suspended head of legal services, Advocate Kemi Behari.

a group of four accused in the dock — Former city manager Imogen Mashazi, suspended head of legal services Advocate Kemi Behari, suspended HR head Linda Gqxasheka, and suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi during bail proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, July 9. Picture: Fanie Mthupha.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Mkhwanazi and Behari were granted bail of R50 000 each. However, because the court’s bail office had already closed, the bail process could not be finalised. Both remained in custody overnight and returned to court on Friday to complete the administrative bail process and secure their release.

The bail application for Mashazi and Gqxasheka was postponed on Thursday. They remained in custody overnight and returned to court on Friday, when they were each granted bail of R50 000.

Suspended City of Ekurhuleni head of legal services Advocate Kemi Behari during bail proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Picture: Fanie Mthupha.

Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi during bail proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday, July 9. Picture: Fanie Mthupha..

During the bail proceedings, the State proposed bail of R100 000 each for Mkhwanazi and Behari. Their defence teams argued that the amount was excessive and unreasonable.

Mkhwanazi’s legal team had proposed bail of R10 000, while Behari’s defence indicated it was prepared to increase its proposed amount to R30 000.

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All four accused were recently arrested by the SAPS Commission’s Recommendations Task Team as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into the alleged abuse of public office, unlawful salary adjustments and the obstruction of internal disciplinary processes.

a packed court — The four accused, former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi, suspended head of legal services Advocate Kemi Behari, suspended HR head Linda Gqxasheka, and suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi appear in a packed Germiston Magistrate’s Court during bail proceedings on Thursday, July 9. Picture: Fanie Mthupha.

The case centres on allegations that Behari failed for years to act on disciplinary findings against Mkhwanazi. Those findings relate to the alleged unlawful installation of blue lights on vehicles belonging to tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

The court also heard allegations that Behari and Gqxasheka received irregular salary increases totalling about R600 000 in exchange for allegedly ensuring Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary case disappeared.

Mkhwanazi and his co-accused, City of Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla, are due to return to the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on July 16, where they are facing corruption charges.

Also Read: DA renews call to suspend Ekurhuleni city manager pending criminal case