Public Protector finds Imogen Mashazi acted improperly over Ekurhuleni metro police appointment

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has found that former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi committed improper conduct in the appointment of an official to a senior metro police post.

Who, what and when

The finding, released on Thursday as part of a series of investigation reports, relates to the City of Ekurhuleni’s 2022 appointment of Ndumiso Aschendorf Gcwabe as Deputy Chief of Metro Police: Security and Loss Control. The investigation followed a complaint lodged in August 2023 by Vukile Mlungwana on behalf of the Municipal Employees and Civil Servants Union (MECSU).

Qualification shortfall identified

The Public Protector found that the job advertisement required a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification. Gcwabe’s curriculum vitae listed a National Diploma in Policing, graded at NQF level 6 as his highest post‑matric qualification. The investigation also noted that his certificate of competence in the Crime Prevention Management Programme was a six‑month short course and did not constitute a registered qualification as required by the advertisement.

Verification process was inadequate

Gcaleka found that Ekurhuleni officials did not properly verify or authenticate Gcwabe’s academic qualifications in terms of the City’s Talent Acquisition Policy. Although the City used a private service provider to verify the qualifications before appointment, the Public Protector found that the process only authenticated the validity of the documents and did not confirm the NQF levels of the qualifications with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), as required by the policy.

“As a result, we find that Mr Gcwabe did not qualify for the position of Deputy Chief of Metro Police. In the circumstances, we further find that the conduct of the former City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi as Accounting Officer of CoE at the time of appointment of Mr Gcwabe constitutes improper conduct,” Gcaleka said.

Findings and remedial directions

The Public Protector concluded that Gcwabe did not qualify for the position and that his appointment was irregular. Gcaleka directed the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni to table the report before municipal council within 90 days. The council must deliberate on the finding and approve an appropriate course of action to address the irregular appointment, including the possibility of taking the matter on judicial review in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

The City Manager is required to provide administrative support to the Executive Mayor in preparing the matter for council. The Public Protector also directed the municipality to train human resources officials involved in recruitment on the City’s Talent Acquisition Policy so that qualifications are properly verified and authenticated through SAQA, including confirmation of their NQF levels, before future appointments are finalised.

Gcaleka further instructed that future job advertisements must clearly distinguish between registered qualifications and short courses. The City Manager must submit an action plan to the Public Protector within 30 days detailing how the remedial action will be implemented.

Related processes

The finding against Mashazi comes alongside other allegations heard by the Madlanga Commission, which has referred her name for further investigation following evidence presented to that inquiry.