Evidence leader Advocate Sello could not hide his amusement on Monday after former Ekurhuleni City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, gave yet another surprising response at the Madlanga Commission. Mashazi returned to the inquiry for a second appearance, following her earlier testimony that left many South Africans questioning how she was ever appointed to lead a major municipality.
During her latest session, Mashazi was asked about a serious issue involving Julius Mkhwanazi, a senior official who allegedly made 55 invalid appointments within the municipality. These appointments were said to have no legal standing and carried financial implications for the City of Ekurhuleni because the individuals involved received salaries and benefits they were not entitled to.
Watch: Evidence leader Adv. Sello couldn’t help but laugh, as Imogen Mashazi left commissioners and evidence leaders stunned, when she told the Madlanga Commission that she could not recall whether she took any action against Julius Mkhwanazi, after it was revealed that he had… pic.twitter.com/dxsbAr2Y8r
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When Advocate Sello asked Mashazi whether she took any action against Mkhwanazi after these unlawful appointments were discovered, Mashazi told the commission that she “could not recall.” She does not recall if she did anything or nothing about this matter. Her answer left both the commissioners and evidence leaders stunned. According to the commission, as the accounting officer of the municipality at the time, Mashazi was expected to act immediately to correct the irregularities and protect public funds.
Commissioners also pressed her on whether she tried to reverse or rectify the appointments once she became aware that they were invalid. Mashazi again said she could not remember taking steps to fix the problem. This raised further questions about how she fulfilled her responsibilities as the head of the municipality.
Mashazi’s testimony has now become one of the most discussed moments at the commission. Many viewers say her repeated claims of not recalling key decisions show a worrying gap in leadership at municipal level. The hearings will continue as the commission seeks to establish accountability and recommend corrective action for the future.