Four senior officials linked to the City of Ekurhuleni appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Thursday following their arrest on allegations of corruption and related offences.

The accused are former city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, head of legal services Adv Kemi Behari, head of human resources Linda Gxasheka and Julius Doctor Mkhwanazi.

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According to the State’s charge sheet, Mashazi served as the City of Ekurhuleni’s city manager during the period relevant to the allegations. Behari has served as the municipality’s head of legal services since June 1, 2023, while Gxasheka has been head of human resources since March 1, 2023.

The State alleges the investigation began after the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) received an enquiry from a News24 journalist in February 2023.

The enquiry sought clarity on whether the municipality had entered into a memorandum of understanding with CAT VIP Protection, a company owned by Vusumuzi Matlala.

The journalist also questioned why Matlala’s partner had allegedly been transported to the airport in a convoy of luxury vehicles fitted with blue lights and registered to the City of Ekurhuleni.

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The four accused made their first court appearance on July 9 following their arrest the previous day, which was confirmed by SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Proceedings were adjourned twice to allow the defence legal team time to receive and study the charge sheet before formally applying for bail.

The matter was postponed and remains before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court for the bail application.