EMPD chief Mkhwanazi shielded despite IPID report on CAT VIP fraud | Madlanga Commission

City of Ekurhuleni dismissed IPID’s findings against suspended EMPD acting chief Brig. Julius Mkhwanazi, despite recommendations that he must face the music for his role in the alleged fraudulent registration of criminal tycoon, Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala’s vehicles under the municipality.

Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, former Ekurhuleni HR Head, Xolani Nciza, said that the city’s legal unit sent a letter to IPID on December 13, 2023, rejecting its report.

IPID had recommended action against Mkhwanazi for authorising blue lights to be fitted to CAT VIP’s fleet and for illegally facilitating the transfer of municipal resources to the private company.

Nciza said the letter defended Mkhwanazi outright and criticised IPID for allegedly failing to prove fraud and corruption, despite the watchdog stating it had strong evidence.

He told the commission the letter’s tone aligned with a phone call he received on May, 23 2023 from former city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, instructing him to stop pursuing action against the police chief.

Co-Commissioner Sesi Baloyi slammed the city’s response and questioned whether legal advisors who signed the document were qualified to make such assertions.

Nciza confirmed their credentials but said the city behaved “like a shop steward defending a member”, rather than an employer upholding accountability.

He further claimed his suspension stemmed from exposing attempts by senior officials to protect Mkhwanazi.

IOL reported this week, that Nciza alleged that the head of HR Linda Gxasheka and head of legal services Adv. Kemi Bahari, dropped disciplinary charges against Mkhwanazi without lawful reason.

The two were acting on instructions from Mashazi.

According to Nciza, the pair were rewarded with salary increases of R600,000 for being loyal to Mashazi and protecting Mkhwanazi.

Nciza said the report recommending the pay hikes offered no justification, no new responsibilities, performance reviews or structural changes in the intervening months.

“What was in March is exactly what was in July,” he said. “Yet suddenly, they were awarded massive increases.”

The IPID’s report found that Mkhwanazi misrepresented his authority, unlawfully accepted external donations, and facilitated the fraudulent registration of four municipal vehicles.

The cars were entered into the city’s fleet system between January 18 and 24, 2023 and then transferred to CAT VIP in March.

Meanwhile, the city has again suspended Mkhwanazi following allegations of misconduct in the municipality. The city confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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