Ekurhuleni Blue Lights Scandal: Julius Mkhwanazi Takes Employment Dispute To Labour Court As Criminal Case Delayed

The corruption case involving former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and three former senior municipal officials returned to the Germiston Magistrates' Court on Friday, 13 November 2026.

Mkhwanazi, former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, ex-human resources head Linda Gxasheka and former head of legal and risk services Khemraj “Kemi” Behari appeared as the defence continued addressing outstanding issues.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cat Matlala Claims IDAC Fabricated Allegations Against Fannie Masemola

The latest appearance followed an earlier postponement intended to give the accused access to the State's case docket. Their legal representatives confirmed that they had received full disclosure, although they indicated that further particulars could still be requested.

The proceedings also brought renewed attention to the accused's bail restrictions and separate employment disputes.

Mkhwanazi Pursues Labour Court Action After EMPD Dismissal

Mkhwanazi is taking legal steps following his dismissal from the EMPD on 18 September 2026. A legal representative told the court that he was approaching the Labour Court through his union, with his employment dispute raising issues similar to those faced by the other accused.

Lawyer Shafique Sarlie, who represents Mkhwanazi and stood in for Behari's lawyer, Advocate Tyron Pather, told the court that Behari wanted access to cellphones seized by police. Behari also sought a relaxation of his bail condition preventing him from communicating with Ekurhuleni municipal officials.

The defence argued that the restriction was complicating Behari's efforts to pursue his employment dispute, particularly because officials from the municipality's finance and human resources departments were involved.

“Mr Behari is involved in this labour dispute and at the forefront of the dispute, I understand, are personnel of the finance and HR departments in the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Your Worship will recall that as a bail condition, he is barred from communicating with these personnel.

“By agreement with the state, we ask that Your Worship amend that condition,” Sarlie told the court.

Behari And Gxasheka Seek Relief Over Employment Disputes

Behari's employment dispute began after his suspension in December 2025, following allegations raised during the Madlanga Commission.

He approached the Labour Court in an urgent application to stop his disciplinary inquiry, arguing that the dispute should instead have been referred to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) for pre-dismissal arbitration.

The Labour Court dismissed his application with costs on 22 April 2026. The City of Ekurhuleni subsequently dismissed him on 31 July 2026.

Gxasheka also asked the court to adjust her bail conditions to allow her to engage with the relevant department over outstanding Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments. Her lawyer explained that she had been unable to access the payments because the administrative process had not been completed.

The court was further told that Gxasheka was pursuing the bargaining council route, with a hearing scheduled for 1 December. Her legal representative said she needed to communicate with officials whom her bail conditions currently prevented her from contacting.

Gxasheka was dismissed alongside Behari in July and later challenged the decision. However, her application was struck off the roll on 6 August 2026.

Blue Lights Corruption Case Postponed To February 2027

The four accused are facing corruption-related charges linked to allegations of abuse of public office, unlawful salary adjustments and interference with internal disciplinary proceedings. The case centres on an alleged attempt to derail disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi following the unauthorised installation of blue lights on vehicles belonging to tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission indicated that Mkhwanazi was suspended in February 2023 over the blue lights controversy but returned to work on 24 May that year following alleged intervention by Mashazi.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Londie London Breaks Silence After Being Linked To Allegedly Hijacked Luxury Cars At Madlanga Commissionked Car Claim

An Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) report released in September 2023 recommended disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi over alleged fraud and corruption. Despite the recommendation, he was promoted to EMPD deputy chief in December 2023.

Behari is accused of obstructing the disciplinary process, while Gxasheka allegedly lifted Mkhwanazi's suspension. The two former officials are also accused of receiving salary increases of R600 000 each, described as “loyalty bonuses”, which were allegedly not authorised by the Ekurhuleni municipal council.

All four accused are currently out on bail of R50 000 each. The magistrate postponed the matter to 25 February 2027 to allow the defence to consult with their clients and obtain further instructions. The case is also expected to be transferred to the regional court at the next appearance.