By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo: Fanie Mthupha.
Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane on Monday.
Mashazi’s name has been repeatedly linked to acting head of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Julius Mkhwanazi. Evidence presented so far painted a portrait of Mkhwanazi’s character and involvement in criminality.
The Commission has confirmed it will conclude its public hearings for the year on Friday, 5 December.
It’s working toward submitting its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa by 17 December.
In a statement, the Commission said preparations are underway to finalise evidence ahead of the December deadline.
It also confirmed that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is scheduled to appear before the panel on Tuesday, 2 December.
During the proceedings, Mashazi has accused the commission of prejudicing her, claiming she was not given enough time to prepare her testimony.
She told the commission that she was forced to retire from her city manager position by Ekurhuleni Mayor, Doctor Xhakaza.
She has accused suspended EMPD head, Isaac Mapiyeye, of subjecting his female subordinates to sexual harassment and even rape.
She alleged that several female officers reported sexual harassment, coercion, and even rape at Mapiyeye, accusations she admitted were never formalised in writing, and which she took no official steps to probe.
“It was reported to me that the chief of police, Isaac Mapiyeye, fathered multiple children with subordinates who were vulnerable to his abuse of power, including conduct that amounted to sexual harassment, coercion and rape,” she told the commission.
Instead of launching investigations or initiating disciplinary processes, Mashazi said she opted for a “development programme” intended to empower the complainants, a decision that sparked immediate and intense scrutiny from commissioners.
“There was no written complaint,” she said.
The hearing grew heated when Co-Commissioner Adv. Sesi Baloyi pressed Mashazi about her claims, especially her suggestion that an EMPD officer, Kelebogile Thepa, may have “played along” with Mapiyeye’s alleged advances.
Mashazi confirmed she was alleging a sexual relationship between the two.
Baloyi asked whether she had evidence to back the claim and whether it would be included in a supplementary affidavit.
A visibly irritated Mashazi responded by questioning why former HR Head Xolani Nciza was not similarly scrutinised when he accused her of “extramural activities” with Mkhwanazi.
Commission Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga expressed concern about the manner in which Mashazi handled the reports of “horrendous acts” committed by the Chief of Police.
He put it to her that from 2016 to 2025, during her tenure, she took no action while the issues persisted — and Mashazi conceded to this.
Mashazi added that the women Mapiyeye referred to as his “angels” were those he allegedly slept with in exchange for promotions.
When asked whether these were merely rumours, she insisted they were not.
Mashazi has been city manager for the past five years under the shoddy administration of former executive mayor Mzandile Masina.
Her term expired in November 2021 when a new multiparty coalition government led by Mayor Tania Campbell was elected to run Ekurhuleni. However, the council extended her term for six months to ensure a smooth transition for the new mayor and the process of appointing a new city manager.
She was appointed as chief operating officer in the Ekurhuleni Department of Health before becoming a city manager in 2016. The married mother of three was born in Soweto, Johannesburg. She holds a doctorate in public health from Unisa.