By Johnathan Paoli
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni has submitted fresh alleged whistleblower evidence to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to support its criminal case against former city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, including claims linking her to two luxury properties in Meyersdal Eco Estate worth an estimated R60 million.
Speaking outside the Germiston Civic Centre on Wednesday, the DA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, said the latest information formed part of the party’s ongoing efforts to hold Mashazi accountable.
“This is new evidence that will be handed over to the South African Police Service to strengthen the criminal case that we have against the former city manager, Imogen Mashazi,” Rasilingwane said.
“This follows a series of serious allegations that have already emerged through media platforms. We are submitting this so there can be a continuation of the investigation.”
She said the party had recently been approached by a whistleblower whose information raised further concerns warranting police investigation.
According to Rasilingwane, the whistleblower alleges that Mashazi is linked to two luxury properties in Meyersdal Eco Estate with a combined estimated value of about R60 million.
The whistleblower further claims that neither property is registered in the name of Mashazi or her husband and that she allegedly pays about R120,000 a month to another individual to hold the properties on her behalf.
The DA said it was not presenting the allegations as established fact but had submitted the information to SAPS because it believes it is credible and relevant to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Rasilingwane called on investigators to establish the true ownership of the properties, determine whether assets had been concealed and assess whether they were consistent with Mashazi’s known lawful income.
“This information raises serious concerns, and that is why we strongly believe it warrants further investigation by SAPS in Germiston,” she said.
She added that, if substantiated, the allegations could point to a broader pattern of unexplained wealth.
“You would remember that at that particular time, she earned R3.1 million, but the lifestyle that she lived is nothing compared to what has been presented to us by the whistleblower,” she said.
Rasilingwane contrasted the allegations with what he described as deteriorating municipal services experienced by residents.
“This happened while the residents of Ekurhuleni continued to endure failing roads, failing infrastructure, water leaks, electricity outages and collapsed service delivery across the city,” she said.
She reiterated that the DA would continue pursuing the matter until the investigation was concluded and maintained that the allegations warranted further law enforcement action, while leaving it to investigators to assess the new evidence.
“We strongly believe there is a serious case that warrants the arrest of the former city manager. But, as explained, the information stems from the whistleblower and we will not expose the details,” Rasilingwane said.
The latest allegations come as the Madlanga Commission continues scrutinising Mashazi’s tenure as Ekurhuleni city manager.
Earlier this month, the commission heard evidence of a privately chartered flight to London in July 2022 costing between R3.3 million and R3.5 million, allegedly paid for by businessman Ze Nxumalo through his company, ZIG Revenue Management.
The commission heard that Mashazi travelled with her husband and two companions on what was described as a three-day shopping trip.
Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim told the commission the trip was “no ordinary private trip” and questioned whether the benefit had been properly declared, saying such an extraordinary payment raised questions about what influence, access or protection may have been expected in return.
The commission has also heard evidence that suspended Gauteng Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan received detailed information about the trip from tobacco businessman Mohammed “Mo” Sayed, with investigators examining why Khan was kept informed and whether any action was taken.
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