Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the City of Ekurhuleni has moved past a period of instability and is back on a recovery path, citing accountability measures taken following revelations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Xhakaza was speaking on Monday at a joint media briefing with Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who announced a Section 34 Ministerial Determination enabling the municipality to procure 2,400MW of renewable and gas-fired electricity capacity from independent power producers (IPPs).
Asked whether Ekurhuleni was ready to manage a project of this scale, given the Madlanga Commission’s revelations of financial mismanagement and alleged corruption involving city officials, Xhakaza said the municipality had established clear processes to deal with those implicated.
“In 2024, I was elected into office and given a clear mandate by Council: clean the rot. Major revelations followed, and we have effected corrective measures. We have acted decisively, without fear or favour,” he said.
Xhakaza added that officials cited in the commission’s proceedings had been removed from the institution.
“All those who are cited are out on the streets. We are rebuilding the city, focusing on governance issues, and we have released our financial statements to the Auditor-General. We are well on our way to a clean audit,” he said.
“Ekurhuleni is a great city and it is in good hands. It is now up to our people, and I am sure that on November 4, they will do the right thing.”
Senior officials dismissed
In July, three senior City of Ekurhuleni officials were dismissed following allegations of fraud, corruption and negligence.
They were head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka and head of Legal and Risk Services Advocate Kemi Behari, both implicated in testimony at the Madlanga Commission, as well as Chief Information Officer Moloko Monyepao.
Behari and Gxasheka were accused of shielding suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from accountability over allegations that he enabled businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to use blue lights through a fraudulent memorandum of agreement.
Monyepao was dismissed over alleged negligence linked to a mysterious R2 billion revenue loss recorded two years earlier.
Public Protector findings
Earlier this month, the Public Protector found that former Ekurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi committed improper conduct in the appointment of a divisional head in the EMPD.
The finding relates to the appointment of Ndumiso Gcwabe as Divisional Head: Security and Loss Control, a position requiring a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 qualification.
As part of the remedial action, the Public Protector directed that Xhakaza table the report before Council. Council must also consider approaching the court to review the appointment process.
Current city manager Kagiso Lerutle was directed to provide training for human resources practitioner Bongani Khoza, who remains employed by the city.
