Mashazi accuses suspended EMPD chief of sexually exploiting women for promotions

Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, appeared before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, where she detailed allegations of systemic sexual exploitation within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and defended herself against claims that she protected suspended deputy metro police chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

Mashazi, 65, who spent 36 years in local government and served two terms as City Manager, said she introduced a women empowerment programme in the EMPD after learning that women were allegedly being forced to sleep with senior officials to secure promotions.

She accused suspended metro police chief Jabulani Mapiyeye of fathering “multiple children” with subordinates and favouring some of them for promotion. She said spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa was among the women Mapiyeye referred to as his “angels”.

“For him to come here and behave as though he’s a victim is a shame,” Mashazi told the commission. She said at least one case of sexual harassment was opened against Mapiyeye.

Asked why she did not formally investigate the allegations, Mashazi said the women reported the behaviour informally and no written complaint was submitted. “If there’s no formal complaint, I cannot investigate,” she said. Madlanga rejected the argument, saying the allegations in place since 2016 should have prompted action.

He noted that “systematic, horrendous conduct” allegedly occurred between 2016 and 2025 and questioned why Mashazi did nothing to protect victims. She maintained her hands were tied by municipal processes.

Mashazi also addressed allegations she improperly lifted the 2023 suspension of deputy metro police chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who was facing a disciplinary hearing after entering into a memorandum with the security company of alleged drug cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The agreement allowed Matlala’s vehicles to be fitted with blue lights and exempted from roadblocks, treating them as metro police vehicles. Mashazi said the memorandum was illegal and not within Mkhwanazi’s authority. She insisted she had no knowledge of it.

She denied involvement in lifting Mkhwanazi’s suspension, despite being copied in an email instructing that the suspension be reversed. “I want to state categorically that I did not participate in lifting Mkhwanazi’s suspension,” she said. She added that disciplinary matters involving junior officials do not involve the city manager.

Mashazi told the commission that former mayor Tania Campbell had applied for a ministerial waiver to allow her to serve until retirement. She claimed the current mayor opposed the waiver, sought to place her on special leave in December, and later told her her payout would be reviewed. She believes the tensions stem from her refusal to take “unlawful instructions”.

Mashazi said she had two years left on her contract and declined the special leave. She also highlighted her record of receiving three clean audits during her tenure.

The commission continues this week, with Mkhwanazi and suspended police minister expected to testify.