Suspended EMPD Chief accuses former city officials of illegal recruitments and deals

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Chief, Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye, has accused former city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, and acting metro police chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, of running irregular recruitment processes and entering into unlawful agreements without his knowledge.

Mapiyeye told the commission that Mashazi and Mkhwanazi sidelined him in several key administrative and operational decisions, including appointments and partnerships within the department.

He claimed Mashazi “recruited and appointed officials without my knowledge,” allegedly supported by two heads of department and Mkhwanazi, who was at the time “purportedly appointed” as a deputy head.

“I could not be part of someone preparing food which I don’t eat and just come and dish for me,” said Mapiyeye.

According to Mapiyeye, the city’s Human Resources department recommended the extension of deputy chief Goodman Mzolo’s contract, which was ending in 2023, but he was not consulted. “Mzolo didn’t apply for the position, and the shortlisting process was concluded,” he said.

He added that Mkhwanazi continued with the recruitment process without his approval, despite his written objections to HR.

“He disregarded my orders,” Mapiyeye said, adding that Mkhwanazi went on to make 55 appointments including directors and superintendents between May and July 2024. “Those appointments were irregular.”

Mapiyeye said he tried to stop the process, but the former city manager verbally instructed that Mkhwanazi handle all appointments. “I contested and disagreed with the city manager’s instruction, but that didn’t help. Never in the history of EMPD have deputy chiefs appointed anyone,” he said.

Further, he said some of the appointments were made to posts not even advertised. He also told the commission that he was suspended in August 2024, shortly after raising concerns about these irregularities.