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- Ekurhuleni has dismissed legal services head Kemi Behari, HR head Linda Gxasheka and chief information officer Moloko Monyepao.
- Behari and Gxasheka are accused of shielding suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from accountability, in exchange for R600,000 salary increases each.
The City of Ekurhuleni has dismissed three senior officials following the conclusion of separate internal disciplinary proceedings, mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has confirmed.
Advocate Kemi Behari, head of Legal and Risk Services, and Linda Gxasheka, head of Human Resources, were placed on precautionary suspension in December 2025 after testimony at the Madlanga Commission accused them of shielding suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from accountability.
Mkhwanazi is accused of unlawfully providing blue lights to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala through a fraudulent memorandum of agreement.
Former Ekurhuleni employee relations head Xolani Nciza testified in November 2025 that disciplinary charges against Mkhwanazi were abruptly halted around 20 February 2023, allegedly under pressure from then city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi.
Nciza alleged Behari and Gxasheka were later rewarded with salary increases of around R600,000 each for their role in stopping the process. Both officials have denied the allegations, with Behari describing them as “false, damaging and unsupported by evidence.” Behari was arrested earlier this year in connection with the case.
The third official, Chief Information Officer Moloko Monyepao, was suspended following a council resolution in March 2025 over allegations of serious ICT mismanagement, a matter entirely separate from the Behari and Gxasheka case.
“Council has resolved to authorise the city manager to terminate the employment relationship between the three senior managers, following the finalisation of the disciplinary proceedings that they were undergoing,” the city said.
Pictured above: Three senior officials at The City of Ekurhuleni have been fired over corruption and mismanagement findings.
Image source: File
