Germiston court grants R50,000 bail to Mashazi and Gxasheka

Former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended human resources head Linda Gxasheka were each granted R50,000 bail by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the court heard. The two had spent two nights in custody after their arrest on Wednesday.

Addresses verified, state withdraws opposition

The state told the court it was no longer opposing bail after the residential addresses of both Mashazi and Gxasheka were verified. Their bail applications had been postponed to Friday when the state first raised concerns about the addresses during initial appearances.

Previous concerns about multiple properties

Investigators previously told the court they had identified several properties linked to Mashazi, including homes in Meyersdal, Bedfordview, Waterfall, Sunward Park, a Brakpan estate and Mpumalanga. Gxasheka was linked to multiple properties, including two in Gauteng and one in the Eastern Cape, with only one address verified at that time.

Mashazi’s lawyer, Johan Eksteen, disputed the claims, telling the court that several of the listed properties did not belong to his client.

Co-accused and charges

Their co-accused, suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and suspended head of legal services Kemi Behari, were each granted R50,000 bail on Thursday. The four were arrested on charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Case origins and state allegations

The arrests relate to what the state describes as the so-called blue lights saga. The state’s case is that Mashazi and other senior City of Ekurhuleni officials shielded Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action after he allegedly fitted police blue lights to private luxury vehicles owned by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The state further said that Mashazi, Behari and Gxasheka acted with a common purpose to protect Mkhwanazi, and that Behari and Gxasheka received salary increases the council never approved. The municipality allegedly paid Behari and Gxasheka a combined R2.66 million in unlawful salary increases between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years.

Responses from the accused

Mashazi has previously denied any wrongdoing. While testifying before the Madlanga Commission in December last year, she said she did not interfere to block a disciplinary inquiry.

“I was far from this process,”

Behari has also denied the allegations, saying claims that he accepted a bribe were false and without foundation.