The City of Ekurhuleni has been hit by yet another shockwave in an already intensifying governance scandal, as head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka has been officially suspended for failing to institute disciplinary action against controversial EMPD senior officer Julius Mkhwanazi.
Gxasheka’s suspension marks the latest development in what has become a sprawling internal crisis involving allegations of misconduct, fraud, and abuse of authority within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).
According to insiders, the city moved against Gxasheka after it emerged that she did not act on formal instructions to take disciplinary measures against Mkhwanazi who himself is currently suspended pending investigations into his alleged involvement in a fraudulent contract linked to businessman Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala.
Mkhwanazi is accused of improperly entering the EMPD into a dubious contractual agreement with Matlala, raising serious questions about procurement processes, internal oversight, and the integrity of the department’s leadership structures. His suspension followed mounting evidence suggesting procedural breaches and possible criminality.
City spokespersons confirmed that Gxasheka’s failure to enforce disciplinary steps against the top cop constituted a violation of her executive responsibilities, particularly in ensuring compliance with labour and ethical standards across the metro.
“This is a matter of accountability,” a senior official noted. “The city cannot afford a chain of negligence in cases as sensitive as this. Leadership must act when policies are breached.”
The scandal involving Mkhwanazi has already attracted significant public scrutiny, with civil society groups demanding transparency and swift disciplinary processes. The addition of Gxasheka to the growing list of suspended officials has further amplified concerns about systemic weaknesses within the EMPD and its administrative oversight.
Meanwhile, investigations into the fraudulent contract allegedly facilitated by Mkhwanazi remain ongoing. Sources close to the process suggest more suspensions may follow as the probe uncovers additional irregularities.
The City of Ekurhuleni has vowed to restore institutional trust, pledging full cooperation with investigators and promising to implement decisive reforms to prevent future governance lapses.