A suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police chief has been accused of causing two drunk driving accidents, one of them fatal, according to testimony given at a national judicial inquiry.
The allegations were made on Monday by former Ekurhuleni city manager Dr. Imogen Mashazi at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System in Pretoria.
Mashazi stated that Isaac Mapiyeye, the suspended chief, was involved in a drunk driving accident in 2014 where he broke his arm. She alleged the scene was cleared and not investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
She further testified that she was told Mapiyeye caused another drunk driving accident in which a child died, though she could not recall the year. Mashazi also mentioned an allegation that Mapiyeye assaulted a pregnant woman and that the case was withdrawn after IPID intervention.
Mapiyeye was placed on precautionary suspension in September 2025 over separate sexual harassment allegations. His testimony at the inquiry in November contradicted Mashazi’s, claiming she had threatened him for pursuing an internal investigation.
The commission continues on Tuesday, with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave, expected to testify about his decision to disband a police task team investigating political killings.