Former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, head of legal services Adv Kemi Behari, head of human resources Linda Gxasheka and suspended EMPD acting chief of police Julius Doctor Mkhwanazi each face six criminal charges arising from the State’s investigation into the municipality.

According to the State, the investigation began in February 2023 after the EMPD received media enquiries about an alleged memorandum of understanding between the municipality and CAT VIP Protection, a company owned by businessman Vusumuzi Matlala, and the alleged use of municipal blue-light vehicles.

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Prosecutors allege the accused acted with a common purpose to prevent disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi before Behari and Gxasheka allegedly received unlawful salary increases without the required council approval.

The State further alleges the salary increases contravened municipal legislation because they were implemented despite council declining to approve the remuneration adjustments.

The six charges

Count 1: Contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, alternatively fraud, relating to the alleged unlawful approval and payment of salary increases.

Count 2: Corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. The State alleges the salary increases amounted to unlawful gratification after disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi were allegedly frustrated.

Count 3: Defeating or obstructing the administration of justice by allegedly preventing or delaying disciplinary and investigative processes.

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Count 4: Fraud, based on allegations that the salary increases were implemented as though they had been lawfully approved.

Count 5: Financial misconduct under the Municipal Finance Management Act for allegedly authorising or failing to prevent unauthorised expenditure.

Count 6: Failure to report suspected corrupt activities to the South African Police Service, as required by the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

The accused have denied the allegations against them. The matter has been postponed for further court proceedings.