Ekurhuleni
The City of Ekurhuleni’s former HR head, Xolani Nciza, told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that two senior officials received salary increases of about R600 000 each after their refusal to act against suspended acting Julius Mkhwanazi of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department—raising serious questions about accountability and governance.
At the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Xolani Nciza, former head of employee relations for the City of Ekurhuleni, revealed that two senior municipal officials were awarded substantial salary increases after allegedly shielding suspended acting EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
Nciza testified that in June 2023, disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi were halted, and shortly thereafter, Advocate Kemi Behari, head of legal, and Linda Gxasheka, head of Human Resources, each received raises of roughly R600 000. The increases came despite no new responsibilities or improved performance and followed instructions from the former city manager to “leave Mkhwanazi alone.”
The testimony illustrated how internal governance processes were reportedly manipulated, raising concerns about municipal integrity and the independence of disciplinary actions. Witnesses described pressure from the city manager to reinstate Mkhwanazi after his suspension over a “blue‑light” vehicle scandal involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
