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EMPD Spokesperson Lifts the Lid on Alleged Corruption at the Madlanga Commission
A municipality in the spotlight
It started with whispers in the corridors of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the municipal offices of the City of Ekurhuleni. Now it’s headline news. On a crisp November morning, Kelebogile Thepa, spokesperson and head of media and public relations at EMPD, took the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The charge sheet: allegations of corruption, collusion, and mismanagement that appear to have permeated one of Gauteng’s key metros.
Unwrapping the alleged misdealings
Earlier testimony laid down the blueprint of the scandal. Former HR head Xolani Nciza told the commission how the suspended acting chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, allegedly drafted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) purporting to grant policing powers to a private security company, CAT VIP, tied to controversial figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. According to Ms Nciza, the document was nothing more than a draft; no official deal was ever concluded. Meanwhile, she pointed a finger at former city manager Imogen Mashazi, alleging she intervened to stop disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi.
Why this matters to residents
For people living in Ekurhuleni, this is more than a power play among officials. The metro encompasses townships, industrial zones, and suburbs that are intertwined with the day-to-day grind of commuting, jobs, and public safety. When key policing structures and municipal leadership are under a cloud, it stirs anxiety in communities already facing overstretched services and security concerns. Social media reaction has been sharp as locals demand accountability and fear that the rot may run deeper than one department.
A deeper trend of system failure
This inquiry forms part of a wider conversation about how municipal systems can fail when oversight weakens. The concerns here are not just about one bad actor but about how systems allow the bypassing of rules. These are not isolated incidents; they hint at structural issues around vetting, oversight, and accountability.
What lies ahead
With Kelebogile Thepa’s testimony, the commission continues to assemble the puzzle pieces. The key question is, will policies be enforced? Will senior officials be held accountable? And can trust be restored to a metro that plays such a central role economically in Gauteng? The final report may shape the way municipal policing and oversight are handled not just in Ekurhuleni but across South Africa.
For Ekurhuleni’s residents, the hope is simple: that the inquiry translates into action. For the city’s administration, the message is clear: no longer can governance failures be shrugged off as isolated errors. The Madlanga Commission’s findings might very well mark a turning point in the fight for municipal integrity and public trust.
Also read: Parliament in Turmoil: Nkabinde Faces Perjury Charges from EFF and MK
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
