Imogen Mashazi Says She Felt Unfairly Treated At The Madlanga Commission

The atmosphere at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria was tense this week as former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi returned for another day of testimony. What was meant to be a continuation of her evidence turned into a moment of personal concern, as Mashazi told the commission she felt she had been placed at an unfair disadvantage.

Mashazi, once one of the most senior administrators in Ekurhuleni, is currently being scrutinised over alleged failures in oversight relating to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department. Her testimony forms part of the broader Madlanga Inquiry into police corruption, misconduct, and governance failures.

A Tough Stand For A Public Figure Under Scrutiny

Mashazi’s appearance on Monday and Tuesday was anything but smooth. Commissioners and the evidence leader pressed her with difficult questions, many of which she struggled to answer on the spot. According to her legal representative, Mr Moosa, that gap wasn’t due to evasion but rather a lack of immediate access to the documents she needed.

Moosa told the commission that his client felt prejudiced by being asked to comment on allegations without having the full record in front of her. He said Mashazi worried about the lasting public perception created over the last two days, especially given the heavy public and media attention around the inquiry.

In a line that resonated with many watching online, Moosa said:
“Her concern is: ‘What about the perception created of me as a public figure?’ I told her we can’t turn back the clock, but we can use the next few days to prepare a thorough supplementary statement.”

Commission Grants More Time For Clarity

The commission has now granted Mashazi until next Wednesday to gather all supporting documents, which will be submitted as part of a supplementary affidavit. This is expected to give her the chance to respond more comprehensively to outstanding questions.

For many South Africans following the inquiry, the additional time feels necessary. Social media conversations have been split: some viewers sympathetic to Mashazi’s position, others arguing that her difficulty in answering questions reflects deeper administrative failures during her tenure.

On X, one user wrote:
“Imagine facing a commission without your files. Anyone would struggle.”
Another commented:
“She held a senior job. How do you not know the details? Accountability must mean something.”

A Reminder Of What’s At Stake

Beyond the immediate drama, the inquiry continues to dig into serious allegations of corruption and misconduct within the EMPD. Mashazi has already made headlines in previous sessions, including claims of sexual harassment and rape against former EMPD leadership and her admission that she failed to act against suspended police chief George Mapiyeye.

Her upcoming affidavit may be one of the most closely watched submissions yet, as it could clarify key gaps in the administrative timeline that the commission is trying to piece together.

For now, all eyes remain on Pretoria as the inquiry pushes deeper into one of the most exhaustive examinations of policing failures in recent years.

{Source:F1}

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