By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Ekurhuleni’s Head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka has been placed on a precautionary suspension after being implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
This follows a behind-closed-doors meeting held by the city council last week to discuss suspension of head of legal Kemi Behari and Gxasheka, following their implication in the Commission of Inquiry.
In a statement, the municipality said the measure “does not constitute a finding of guilt, nor does it amount to disciplinary action,” adding that it is an administrative step used to protect internal processes and organisational stability.
The City, said the suspension forms part of its ongoing efforts to support governance and accountability mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry.
The commission has been looking into administrative and governance matters within the municipality.
The municipality stated that no further information will be released at this stage, as the matter is still subject to internal processes.
The allegations against Behari relate to his failure to act on recommendations given by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to take disciplinary action against acting EMPD head Julius Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi was eventually suspended in November 2025 for allegedly entering the EMPD into a contract that allowed it to provide Vusimuzi Cat Matlala with the city’s red and blue lights for his vehicles.
In 2023, IPID was brought in to investigate the contract and found that Mkhwanazi had no authority to award it.
IPID also found that the memorandum of understanding signed with Matlala’s companies was fraudulent.
As a result, the body recommended that disciplinary action be taken against Mkhwanazi; however, none was taken. Gxasheka was also alleged to have stalled Mkhwanazi’s suspension.
Former Ekurhuleni director of employee relations, Xolani Nciza, alleged that Behari required all investigations into Mkhwanazi to obtain his approval first.
He also pointed to the R600,000 salary hikes received by Behari and Gxasheka, which he believes were intended to incentivise support for former city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi.
Suspended EMPD chief Jabulani Mapiyeye also told the commission that all his attempts “to discipline Mkhwanazi were frustrated by Mashazi, Gxasheka, and Behari.”
“In fact, these attempts led me to be suspended on numerous occasions, culminating in disciplinary charges for alleged sexual harassment being levelled against me in November 2024.”
Meanwhile the Gauteng High Court has ordered the immediate eviction of the company of Matlala, Medicare24, from its upmarket Menlyn offices for unpaid rental arrears totalling more than R250 000.
The court also granted Menlyn Maine Towers a lien over Medicare24’s moveable property and ordered payment of the outstanding rental arrears with interest.
Matlala had signed a five-year lease with Menlyn Maine Towers for Medicare24, which expires in August 2026.
However, the property company cancelled the lease in July, two months after Matlala’s arrest for attempted murder in May.
The company accused Matlala of breaching the lease agreement by housing his other company, Cat VIP Protection, in Medicare24’s offices without consent.