Opposition parties have reacted to the City of Ekurhuleni’s latest shake-up of its senior leadership, welcoming the dismissal of three heads of department while also commenting on the reinstatement of EMPD chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye after a disciplinary process that lasted nearly two years.

Council has authorised city management to dismiss head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, head of legal and risk services Advocate Kemi Behari, and chief information officer Moloko Monyepao for misconduct.

Behari and Gxasheka were placed on precautionary suspension in December 2025 following allegations heard before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

They were later arrested alongside former city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into the alleged abuse of public office, unlawful salary adjustments and the obstruction of internal disciplinary processes.

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

The court also heard allegations that Behari and Gxasheka received irregular salary increases totalling about R600 000 in exchange for allegedly ensuring that Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary matter was not pursued.

Attention now turns to suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, whose disciplinary process the city says is at an advanced stage, with further details expected once it is concluded.

Monyepao, meanwhile, was placed on precautionary suspension during an investigation into the city’s estimated R2b billing scandal.

According to the city, his suspension stemmed from serious allegations of mismanagement linked to financial losses arising from inaccurate billing systems, interim meter readings, account manipulations, insufficient administrative oversight and poor management of business systems.

EMPD chief cleared of all charges
Mapiyeye, who had been on precautionary suspension since 2024 over allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of managerial authority made by female staff members, was cleared of all charges and has now been reinstated following the conclusion of the nearly two-year disciplinary process.

FF Plus criticises lengthy disciplinary process
The Freedom Front Plus in Ekurhuleni has described the allegations against Mapiyeye as a “witch-hunt” against a senior official.

“The disciplinary process instituted against Mapiyeye saw the city shelling out more than R4.6m, only for him to be found not guilty on all charges after nearly 22 months,” said FF Plus councillor Jennifer Glover.

“This is a costly lesson for taxpayers and reinforces the impression that it was merely a witch-hunt against a senior official. That money should rather have been used for service delivery, infrastructure and public safety.”

Glover said the party had repeatedly warned the metro that the matter appeared to be politically motivated.
“The eventual outcome raises serious questions about the handling of the process, its duration and the enormous cost that residents had to bear.

Also Read: DA demands suspension of EMPD top cop

“Serious allegations must always be thoroughly investigated and victims must be protected. Likewise, every person has the right to a fair, independent and expeditious process. When disciplinary proceedings drag on for years and cost millions, taxpayers are the ones who ultimately pay the price.”

She added that the case demonstrates the need for the metro to conduct disciplinary proceedings professionally, without political interference and within reasonable timeframes.
“Taxpayers deserve better than having millions squandered on drawn-out internal conflicts while service delivery deteriorates.”

DA claims victory on dismissals
The DA said the council’s decision vindicates its long-running campaign against Behari and Gxasheka, and welcomed the resolution to recover the irregular salary increases they received.

“Through council questions, the DA revealed that in less than two months after being appointed as HODs, Behari and Gxasheka each received salary increases of 28% (R585 286),” said DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane.

“Fourteen months later, they each received an additional 3% cost-of-living increase (R79 221), taking their annual salaries from R2m to a staggering R2.7m.
“Then Executive Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana awarded these increases illegally, bypassing council, the only body authorised to approve salary increases for heads of department.”

Rasilingwane said that after receiving the council replies, the DA wrote to Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza in March 2026, presenting evidence and demanding that the irregular payments be recovered.

“Council’s acceptance of the case made by the DA will ensure that not only are Behari and Gxasheka’s employment terminated, but that these illegal increases are repaid in full.”

The city has since announced that Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza will brief the media today (July 31) at the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston, where he is expected to elaborate on council’s decision to dismiss the three heads of department following the conclusion of disciplinary processes.

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