Ekurhuleni Council Backs Dismissal Of Two Senior Managers Implicated At Madlanga Commission

The City of Ekurhuleni has moved to dismiss two senior managers implicated in allegations of corruption and maladministration raised before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

At a council meeting on Thursday, councillors endorsed a decision to terminate the employment of Head of Legal Services Kemi Behari and Head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka. The municipality has also indicated that it intends to recover salary increases it alleges were granted unlawfully.

Madlanga Commission Findings Prompt Ekurhuleni Dismissal Process

Behari and Gxasheka were previously placed on precautionary suspension following testimony before the Madlanga Commission.

Witnesses alleged that the two officials failed to act against, and in some instances protected, corruption-accused Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi from investigation.

The legal process to formally remove the two senior officials is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Ekurhuleni Seeks Repayment Of Allegedly Unlawful Salary Increases

Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane alleged that Behari and Gxasheka each received substantial salary increases shortly after being appointed as heads of department.

According to Rasilingwane, both officials received salary increases of 28%, amounting to R585,286 each, less than two months after taking up their positions.

She further claimed that 14 months later they each received an additional 3% cost-of-living increase, worth R79,221, increasing their annual salaries from about R2 million to approximately R2.7 million.

“Then executive mayor Alderman Sivuyile Ngodwana awarded these increases illegally, bypassing Council, the only body authorised to approve increases for HODs,” said Rasilingwane.

She described the council's decision as a significant step towards strengthening accountability within the municipality.

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“Today, the DA has secured a major win – not only for accountability, but for the residents of the City of Ekurhuleni, who deserve a government and administration free from corruption and malfeasance,” she said.

Ekurhuleni Mayor Confirms ICT Head Also Faces Dismissal

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the council had also resolved to dismiss the municipality's Head of ICT, Moloko Monyepao.

Monyepao is accused of gross administrative misconduct and negligence that allegedly left the municipality financially exposed.

“We have emphasised that consequence management that is what our communities want, if you are caught doing the wrong thing we should ensure that you are dealt with decisively without fear or favour and that is the message that we are communicating across,” Xhakaza said.

Despite the council's decisions, opposition parties continue to raise concerns over the continued employment of EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and City Manager Kagiso Lerutla.