By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@COE.
The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that its legal head Advocate Kemi Behari has been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect pending investigation.
The decision follows a resolution by the city council on 18 November, which empowered the City Manager to act in terms of the disciplinary regulations for senior managers.
The municipality did not disclose the reasons for his suspension but he was afforded an opportunity to submit the written submissions and after being considered the grounds existed for his suspension.
“After careful consideration of these representations and the applicable legislative framework, the City Manager resolved to institute a precautionary suspension,” the municipality said.
The City emphasised that the suspension is not a finding of guilt nor a disciplinary action. It is an interim measure designed to maintain the integrity of ongoing internal processes, protect municipal interests, and uphold good governance.
“The suspension has been implemented strictly in accordance with the regulations governing senior managers,” the City added, noting that the duration and conditions of the suspension comply with the law.
Behari is implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing corruption and malfeasance in the criminal justice system.
During her testimony at the commission on Monday former City manager Dr Imogen Mashazi has denied that she meddled in the disciplinary process against suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s acting chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi due to allegations of fraud and corruption in 2023.
The disciplinary process stemmed from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) report, which recommended that action be taken against Mkhwanazi.
Mashazi told the commission that she acted by referring the report to head of Corporate Legal Services for Ekurhuleni Behari, who informed her the report was “insufficient”.
When pressed which section of the Ipid report seemed unclear, Mashazi replied that her comment stemmed from the legal opinion she had obtained.
She said she would not want to dwell on legal opinion from Behari, suggesting that he be called to testify at the commission as he fully analysed the report.
The current city manager Kagiso Lerutla confirmed that no further details will be released at this stage, as the matter is now part of an internal investigation.
Meanwhile the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s Nthabiseng Tshivhenga has resigned with immediate effect as a councillor and Speaker of the Ekurhuleni city council.