Four Ekurhuleni Officials Granted Bail
Who Are the Accused?
Four people linked to Ekurhuleni municipality appeared in Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They are:
- Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi – suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD)
- Advocate Kemi Behari – suspended head of legal services
- Linda Gxasheka – former Human Resources head
- Imogen Mashazi – former Ekurhuleni City Manager
What Charges Do They Face?
The quartet is accused of:
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Defeating the ends of justice
Bail Decisions
Mkhwanazi and Behari
Both were granted bail set at R50,000 each. Mkhwanazi is already out on R30,000 bail in a separate case involving the municipal manager, Kagiso Lerutla.
Gxasheka and Mashazi
Their bail applications were postponed to Friday to allow prosecutors to finish address verification. Gxasheka’s lawyer argued that delaying the hearing would be unfair, especially because she cares for a four‑year‑old child. Mashazi’s legal team said the Crime Intelligence Technical Response Team could complete the verification overnight.
Why the Case Matters
The arrests follow explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission. Witnesses claimed that Behari ignored years of findings against Mkhwanazi, letting disciplinary actions stall. There are also allegations that Behari and Gxasheka received irregular salary increases totalling about R600,000 in exchange for making Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary case disappear.
Responses from the Accused
In sworn affidavits, Mkhwanazi and Behari have denied all allegations. Behari specifically said the bribery claims are baseless and without foundation.
Conclusion
The bail hearings show how the justice system is handling a high‑profile corruption case involving top Ekurhuleni officials. While two have already secured release, the others await a decision that will consider factors such as family responsibilities and the need for thorough investigations. The outcome will likely influence public trust in municipal governance and the ongoing work of the Madlanga Commission.
