By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Ekurhuleni (COE) has placed its Head of Legal Services, Kemi Behari, and Head of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, on full suspension.
The pair had been on precautionary suspension since late last year, which has now been upgraded to a full punitive suspension.
Both Behari and Qxashela have formally received their charge sheets and will face the disciplinary committee. However, even on full suspension, municipal employees continue to receive their full salary and benefits.
Ekurhuleni Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, said Monday, suspensions are part of an aggressive institutional renewal programme aimed at tightening governance, enforcing accountability and restoring administrative integrity across departments.
“These are lawful, structured processes,” the mayor said, stressing that proceedings will unfold strictly within municipal policy, labour legislation and the city’s disciplinary framework.
Behari and Qhashela have been implicated at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
They are primarily accused of suppressing an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report, which found acting EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi guilty of entering the City into fraudulent contracts with convicted criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
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 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.
Xhakaza has also confirmed the appointment of an external company to conduct a vetting process of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers.
“This initiative forms part of the city’s broader programme to professionalise the institution, strengthen internal controls, and reinforce public trust in municipal law enforcement, said the mayor.
“The vetting of EMPD officers is a critical step in strengthening governance systems, promoting ethical conduct, and ensuring that our law enforcement agencies operate beyond reproach.
“This process will contribute meaningfully to protecting the integrity of the EMPD, rooting out wrongdoing, and ensuring that the men and women in uniform serve our communities with honour and discipline,” Xhakaza added.