Madlanga Commission: Nciza continues testimony on Ekurhuleni officials’ protection of Mkhwanazi

By Johnathan Paoli

Former Ekurhuleni Employee Relations head Xolani Nciza continued his testimony before the Madlanga Commission, describing a pattern of interference, incompetence and unlawful conduct by former city manager Imogen Mashazi and legal services head Kemi Behari in relation to the stalled disciplinary inquiry against Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, the embattled former EMPD senior officer at the centre of the blue lights scandal.

Testifying on Thursday, Nciza recounted how he received a series of anonymous emails in August 2023 questioning why the disciplinary case against Mkhwanazi had not proceeded.

The same messages, also sent to journalist Jeff Wicks, triggered an urgent meeting called by human resources (HR) head Linda Gxasheka at the instruction of Mashazi.

When he arrived at the city manager’s office, Nciza said the atmosphere was hostile.

He was accused by both Mashazi and Behari of leaking Mkhwanazi’s charge sheet to the media, an allegation he flatly denied.