EKURHULENI, Gauteng — In a decisive push for municipal accountability, Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has confirmed the dismissal of three senior officials following severe breaches of public trust. The terminations target high-level misconduct within the metro’s administration, specifically addressing crippling ICT mismanagement, unauthorized salary increments, and infractions tied to the Madlanga Commission.
Briefing the press during a short recess from an ongoing in-camera council committee session, Mayor Xhakaza outlined the rationale behind the firings, signaling the end of prolonged internal suspensions. The affected executives include Kemi Behari, the head of ICT, alongside two other heads of department (HODs), Linda Gxasheka and Moloko Monyepao. According to the mayor, the council resolved to finalize these disciplinary processes to send a clear message of zero tolerance for maladministration.
Detailing the specific offenses that led to the dismissals, the mayor explained that Behari’s termination was a direct result of systemic failures within the ICT department that caused significant revenue shortfalls for the city. Meanwhile, Gxasheka and Monyepao faced the axe due to damning revelations stemming from the Madlanga Commission. Furthermore, the two HODs were implicated in the irregular appropriation and review of their own salaries—an action taken in direct defiance of council mandates.
Addressing the municipality’s broader anti-corruption stance, Xhakaza emphasized that manipulating internal disciplinary processes drains municipal funds meant for community service delivery. He warned non-compliant staff that evasion tactics will no longer be tolerated.
“It doesn’t matter how evasive one tries to be, or who you are. Your day will come, and this council will decide on your fate,” the mayor stated, stressing that the local government is determined to leave the metro in “good books” before the current term of office concludes. He promised a comprehensive media conference in the coming days to unpack the Madlanga Commission recommendations and provide full transparency to the public regarding all finalized disciplinary actions.
The briefing also touched upon other high-profile personnel matters within the metro. Mayor Xhakaza noted that the disciplinary case involving suspended deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi is currently being managed by senior executives below the council level, with a full account of those processes to be provided soon.
Additionally, the mayor confirmed a leadership stabilization within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), noting that the chief of police has returned to active duty following a contract extension that delayed his retirement. An advertisement to permanently fill the police chief position will be published at a later stage.
Looking ahead, the municipality plans to accelerate the implementation of recent vetting recommendations, particularly within the vulnerable ICT sector. By closing leadership vacuums and acting decisively against non-compliant staff, the city’s leadership aims to restore public trust and ensure rigorous consequence management across all municipal departments.
