Former Ekurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi has admitted that suspended acting EMPD chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, acted illegally when he pushed through 55 senior appointments and promotions without consulting his superiors.

Her admission exposed years of governance failures within the metro’s police department.

Mashazi made the admission at the Madlanga Commission, where she faced tough questioning over why she took no visible action when Mkhwanazi did as he pleased.

Mkhwanazi bypassed EMPD chief Jabulani Mapiyeye and filled dozens of positions with officers who, according to evidence before the commission, were not even vetted.

Evidence leader, Adv. Mahlape Sello SC pressed Mashazi on what steps she took when it emerged that Mkhwanazi had elevated the 55 officers “unlawfully.”

Mashazi initially responded: “Nothing,” before abruptly retracting the statement and claiming she could not recall what actions she had taken.

Co-Commissioner Sesi Baloyi sharply rebuked her.

“I do have a problem when you say ‘I don’t recall’ and you’re prepared to say that and leave it at that,” Baloyi said.

“It raises issues about whether you are taking this process seriously, as we do. You had the opportunity to refresh your memory when you saw these letters… It suggests you may not be taking this process seriously.”

Mashazi, visibly tense, replied: “No comment.”

Her testimony came weeks after Mapiyeye told the commission that Mkhwanazi “disregarded my authority” and effectively “ran the department as he pleased,” allegedly with Mashazi’s backing.

Between May and July 2024, while Mapiyeye was on leave, Mkhwanazi made 55 senior appointments and promotions without informing him.

Mapiyeye testified that Mkhwanazi with the support of Mashazi disrespected his authority.

“He continued, with her blessing, to make appointments even after I raised concerns,” he added.

Under questioning, Mashazi insisted she had not authorised the irregular promotions and said it would be “unfortunate and irregular” for unqualified officers to be appointed.

She said she believed EMPD appointments fell under the SAPS Act, but acknowledged that municipal systems had delegated certain appointment powers to Mkhwanazi — and that he overstepped them.

She also confirmed that Mkhwanazi failed to consult Mapiyeye, saying this constituted “unlawful” conduct.

However, Sello challenged her interpretation, stressing that police legislation places responsibility for appointments squarely with the police chief and does not require consultation.

Mashazi further claimed that Mapiyeye had never submitted a written complaint to her about the 55 appointments, but later backtracked, saying she made that assertion because she “did not have access” to his letter at the time.

She said she told him to draft a policy to address such issues.

Tensions rose repeatedly during Mashazi’s testimony.

Baloyi reprimanded Mashazi for looking at her phone and at one point asked her to look at her after she turned away mid-question.

Mashazi also admitted she received an IPID report recommending charges against Mkhwanazi, including allegations of fraud and city vehicles registered in private names, but took no action.

Her admissions come as long-standing accusations resurface that she shielded Mkhwanazi from accountability, allegations she continues to dispute.

Mashazi concluded her two-day testimony at the commission.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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