The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has announced a series of interventions aimed at safeguarding the city’s integrity and restoring public trust in the EMPD following explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The measures follow disturbing allegations made by several witnesses who testified about criminal conduct and systemic misconduct within the EMPD.
Among the claims is the so-called “blue-light scandal”, in which suspended acting EMPD chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi is accused of facilitating the illegal fitting of EMPD blue light devices on vehicles belonging to the arrested controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Testimony presented to the commission further suggested that Mkhwanazi may have been shielded by senior city officials.

City outlines corrective steps
In a statement issued by the mayoral office, Ekurhuleni mayor Doctor Xhakaza described the city’s response as a commitment to renewal, ethical leadership, stronger controls, professionalised law enforcement, and the rebuilding of public confidence in transparent and fair governance.
The mayor announced the following actions:

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• Request to the speaker of the council to convene an extraordinary council meeting on November 18 to brief councillors on the investigation and the city’s 2023 decision not to pursue disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi.
• A 30-day comprehensive internal investigation into alleged misconduct within law enforcement, aligned with issues raised before the Madlanga commission.
• Immediate precautionary suspension of Brigadier Mkhwanazi, with disciplinary action underway for other allegedly implicated officials.
• Review of 55 allegedly irregular police promotions, with a report expected within seven days.
• Urgent reporting on 275 allegedly unvetted officers, including some reportedly with prior convictions.
• Strengthening of the city’s renewal agenda through new oversight mechanisms, including the appointment of a security advisor and a commissioner of integrity.

Xhakaza said an internal investigation report involving two senior managers had already raised ‘deeply troubling’ allegations consistent with testimony heard at the Madlanga Commission.

He added: “Given the serious and concerning developments, both internally and those emerging from the commission, I have mandated the city manager to institute a broader investigation into alleged misconduct and administrative failures within the city’s law-enforcement structures. A preliminary report must be delivered within 30 days.”

The mayor also called for:

• A preliminary report within 21 days on the alleged 275 unvetted officers to ensure all EMPD personnel meet ethical and professional standards.
•  A full review of allegedly irregular VIP protection deployments, including accusations of blue-light misuse and the deployment of officers facing criminal charges.
• The assembly of a dedicated team to monitor submissions before the Madlanga Commission to ensure all administrative irregularities are tracked and addressed.
• To bolster oversight, the mayor will appoint a security advisor in his office and establish the post of commissioner of integrity, tasked with addressing governance breaches, ethical concerns, and security risks.

Xhakaza confirmed that he has contacted the executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to request an urgent meeting. The meeting will address all matters allegedly involving EMPD officers and ensure close cooperation with the national oversight body.

“The gravity of these alleged failures underscores the necessity of the city’s renewal agenda,” said Xhakaza.
“This administration remains unshaken in its commitment to clean governance. We are confronting alleged maladministration decisively, tightening oversight and reinforcing accountability at every level.”
He reaffirmed that the CoE will fully support the Madlanga Commission and will not interfere with its work.

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