Two Ekurhuleni officials granted R50,000 bail in corruption

Two senior officials from the City of Ekurhuleni have been granted bail on fraud and corruption charges, while two of their co-accused remain in custody pending further court proceedings. The Germiston Magistrates Court granted R50,000 bail each to suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and the municipality's suspended head of legal and risk services, Kemi Behari, on Thursday, July 9.

Their co-accused, former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, did not receive a bail ruling on Thursday. The state requested more time to verify their residential addresses, leading the magistrate to adjourn their bail applications until Friday, July 10. All four officials were arrested on Wednesday, July 8, by a police task team implementing recommendations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The charges, which include fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice, are connected to the long-running "blue lights" scandal. Prosecutors allege that Mkhwanazi unlawfully authorized the fitting of emergency blue lights to vehicles belonging to alleged criminal cartel associate Vusimuzi...