Former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality city manager Dr Imogan Mashazi and her three co-accused have all been released on bail of R50 000 each after appearing in the Germiston Magistrates’ Court on corruption-related charges.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Friday that Mashazi, Ekurhuleni Head of Legal Services Advocate Khemraj Behari, Head of Human Resources Linda Gasheka and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi are all now out on bail.
Behari and Mkhwanazi were granted bail on Thursday but remained in custody overnight after they were unable to pay the R50 000 bail amount immediately. They were released on Friday after payment was made.
Mashazi and Gasheka were also released on Friday after the State completed the verification of their residential addresses, a process that delayed the court’s decision on their bail applications.
The matter has been postponed to 28 August 2026 for further police investigations.
The four accused face four counts of corruption relating to the alleged abuse of public office, unlawful salary adjustments and the alleged obstruction of internal disciplinary processes.
According to the NPA, the criminal investigation originated in February 2023 after the EMPD received media enquiries regarding the alleged use of municipal vehicles by CAT VIP Protection, a private security company owned by embetled businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Investigators allegedly discovered that Mkhwanazi unlawfully received municipal vehicles from CAT VIP Protection, caused them to be registered as part of the municipal fleet without the required approvals, and later deregistered the vehicles while internal investigations were underway.
The State alleges that despite recommendations from both the EMPD and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that disciplinary action be taken against Mkhwanazi, Mashazi, Behari and Gasheka acted together to frustrate and ultimately halt the disciplinary process.
Prosecutors allege their actions resulted in Mkhwanazi’s precautionary suspension being lifted before disciplinary proceedings could be concluded.
The State further alleges that between 2023 and 2025, Behari and Gasheka each benefited from salary increases exceeding R1.3 million that were processed without approval from the Ekurhuleni Council, as required by municipal legislation and policy.
Mkhwanazi is further accused of receiving an irregular salary increase of more than R650 000 following his appointment as Deputy Chief Police Officer. The State alleges the appointment followed a flawed recruitment process and did not comply with the municipality’s prescribed approval procedures.
During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecutors requested that Mashazi and Gasheka remain in custody while investigators verified their residential addresses. The court granted bail to Behari and Mkhwanazi, subject to conditions, while postponing the remaining two bail applications until Friday.
When the matter returned to court on Friday, the State confirmed that the address verification process had been completed, allowing the court to release both Mashazi and Gasheka on the same bail amount as their co-accused.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Mashazi’s legal representative argued that the bail amount proposed by the State was beyond her financial means. The defence told the court that she is a pensioner receiving approximately R33 000 per month and requested that bail be set at R10 000. The court ultimately ordered that she pay R50 000 bail.
The allegations against the four municipal officials form part of a broader investigation into governance, procurement and administrative decisions within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The NPA said the prosecution remains committed to pursuing corruption cases involving public officials where there is sufficient evidence.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said all four accused had now been released after meeting the court’s bail requirements.
“Mashazi and Gasheka were released after the State completed the verification of their residential addresses. Advocate Behari and Mkhwanazi, who were granted bail on 09 July 2026, were released today after paying their bail, having been unable to do so yesterday,” Kganyago said.
He confirmed that the matter had been postponed to 28 August 2026 for further investigations.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring accountability for corruption involving public officials and will continue to prosecute matters where there is sufficient evidence to hold those entrusted with public office accountable,” Kganyago said.
All four accused are expected to return to the Germiston Magistrates’ Court on 28 August 2026 when the case resumes.
