Four former senior Ekurhuleni officials have appeared in court on fraud and corruption charges linked to alleged unlawful salary increases, appointments and efforts to halt disciplinary proceedings against former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi over the controversial blue light saga involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. Prosecutors allege former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, HR executive Linda Gxasheka and legal head Adv Kemi Behari protected Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action before approving salary adjustments that allegedly cost the municipality R2.66 million. All four were granted R50,000 bail as investigations continue, with authorities indicating further arrests remain possible.
As residents endured dry taps, pothole-ridden roads and collapsing municipal services, prosecutors allege some of Ekurhuleni's most senior officials were working behind the scenes to protect one another, derail accountability and unlawfully enrich themselves at taxpayers' expense.
Former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, former human resources executive Linda Gxasheka and the city's head of legal services, Adv Kemi Behari, appeared in the Germiston Magistrate's Court this week on charges of fraud and corruption.
