Julius Mkhwanazi and Kemi Behari granted R50 000 bail
· The South African
The Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted suspended EMPD deputy chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi and suspended Ekurhuleni legal services head Adv Kemi Behari R50 000 bail each.
The Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted them bail on Thursday after they appeared alongside former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended head of human resources Linda Gxasheka.
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The four face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice following their arrest by the Commission-Recommended Task Team.
Strict bail conditions
The court imposed strict bail conditions on Mkhwanazi and Behari.
They must hand over their travel documents to the investigating officer and report to Brooklyn Police Station every Friday between 5am and 8pm until the case concludes.
They may not contact City of Ekurhuleni employees or officials working in the finance, human resources or procurement departments, except for matters relating to disciplinary proceedings.
The pair must also notify the investigating officer before leaving Gauteng or travelling outside South Africa.
Allegations before Madlanga Commission
A court previously granted Mkhwanazi R30 000 bail in a separate case linked to Ekurhuleni municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla
Their arrests follow allegations made before the Madlanga Commission, where witnesses claimed Behari failed to act on findings against Mkhwanazi for several years, allowing disciplinary proceedings to stall.
The commission also heard allegations that Behari and Gxasheka received irregular salary increases worth about R600 000 in exchange for ensuring Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary case did not proceed.
Former municipal employee relations head Xolani Nciza testified that disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi was unexpectedly halted in 2023.
Both Mkhwanazi and Behari have denied the allegations. Behari has also rejected claims that he accepted a bribe, describing them as false and without foundation.