Ekurhuleni Mayor Xhakaza confirms Behari and Gxasheka full suspension

By Johnathan Paoli

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has confirmed the full suspension of two of the municipality’s most senior officials, saying the move forms part of a decisive push to enforce consequence management, restore governance, and advance what he terms the city’s “Renewal Agenda”.

In a statement issued on Monday, Xhakaza confirmed that the City has affected the full suspension of the Head of Department for Legal Services and Risk, Kemi Behari, and the Head of Department for Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka.

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“The City remains firm in its commitment to consequence management and to ensuring that internal disciplinary processes proceed without obstruction or undue delay. We welcome the court’s affirmation that the City is entitled to advance its internal processes in line with the law. This outcome reinforces our Renewal Agenda, which seeks to restore institutional integrity, strengthen governance systems, and safeguard public resources,” Xhakaza said.

Both Behari and Gxasheka had been on precautionary suspension since December and have now formally been placed on full suspension pending the conclusion of disciplinary processes.

“These suspensions form part of the City’s ongoing programme of institutional renewal aimed at strengthening governance systems, reinforcing accountability, and restoring administrative integrity across all departments,” the mayor said.

Xhakaza confirmed that both Behari and Gxasheka have been served with formal charge sheets and will appear before the City’s Disciplinary Committee.

“The internal processes will proceed strictly in accordance with the City’s disciplinary framework, applicable labour legislation, and municipal policies,” he said.

The mayor further disclosed that suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi will be served with an additional charge sheet and will also appear before the Disciplinary Committee.

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“All processes are being conducted in line with established legislative and labour relations procedures to ensure fairness, due process, and compliance,” Xhakaza said.

The statement also addressed recent court proceedings involving the City’s suspended Chief Information Officer, Moloko Monyepao.

Xhakaza welcomed the High Court’s dismissal, with costs, of Monyepao’s urgent application to interdict the City’s internal disciplinary process.

“This marks the fourth unsuccessful litigation effort by Mr Monyepao relating to the City’s disciplinary processes, with each application resulting in adverse findings, including cost orders. The City remains firm in its commitment to consequence management and to ensuring that internal disciplinary processes proceed without obstruction or undue delay,” the mayor said.

Alongside the suspensions and court developments, Xhakaza announced the commencement of a vetting process for officers within the EMPD, describing the initiative as a critical intervention to professionalise the department and rebuild public trust.

“The vetting of EMPD officers is a critical step in strengthening governance systems, promoting ethical conduct, and ensuring that our law enforcement agencies operate beyond reproach. This process will contribute meaningfully to protecting the integrity of the EMPD, rooting out wrongdoing, and ensuring that the men and women in uniform serve our communities with honour and discipline,” he said.

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Xhakaza situated the latest actions within the broader political and administrative context inherited by his administration, recommitting to confronting what he described as “deep-seated challenges” arising from the period between 2021 and 2024, which he characterised as years of political instability, governance collapse, declining revenue and regression in service delivery.

“The people of Ekurhuleni deserve a City that functions effectively, is properly administered, and is guided by ethical leadership at all levels. These actions are not taken lightly, but they are necessary to reinforce consequence management, ensure organisational stability, and implement corrective measures where required,” Xhakaza added.

Behari and Gxasheka were first placed on precautionary suspension in December following testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into alleged criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.

Evidence led at the commission implicated senior municipal officials in failures to act on disciplinary recommendations against Mkhwanazi, particularly relating to unlawful memoranda of understanding signed with companies linked to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Testimony further alleged that disciplinary processes were stalled or obstructed despite recommendations from IPID.

Both Behari and Gxasheka have consistently denied wrongdoing, and the city has emphasised that suspensions do not constitute findings of guilt.

The city said it would provide further updates as disciplinary and vetting processes unfold, in line with legal requirements and the need to preserve the integrity of proceedings, while ensuring that service delivery to residents is safeguarded.

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