R50,000 bail for Mkhwanazi, Behari in Ekurhuleni corruption case

R50,000 bail for Mkhwanazi, Behari in Ekurhuleni corruption case

Gauteng – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and the City of Ekurhuleni’s head of legal and risk services, Khemraj “Kemi” Behari, have each been granted R50,000 bail in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

They are facing charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice in connection with the EMPD blue lights scandal.

The pair, along with former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, were arrested following recommendations by the Madlanga Commission.

Prosecutors allege the accused protected Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action over the unlawful installation of blue lights on vehicles linked to alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and benefited financially through salary increases.

Although bail was granted to Mkhwanazi and Behari, both will remain in custody until Friday because the bail payment office had closed.

Mashazi and Gxasheka remain in custody, with their bail applications set to continue on Friday after the state requested more time to verify their residential addresses.

All four accused deny the allegations. Mkhwanazi described the charges as politically motivated, while Behari said his continued detention would prejudice his ability to cooperate with ongoing investigations.

The case stems from allegations that disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi was blocked despite recommendations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), leading to his subsequent promotion and alleged financial benefits for other officials.

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