Four suspects, including suspended City of Ekurhuleni Head of Legal Services Kemi Behari and former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi, have been arrested in a major overnight operation linked to allegations that emerged before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Thursday that the arrests were carried out by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team during coordinated raids in various parts of Johannesburg. The suspects include current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and were expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the operation on Wednesday but declined to provide details while it was underway.
“The Commission’s Recommendations Task Team is currently conducting a takedown operation. With the operation currently underway, the South African Police Service will not comment on any aspect of the operation or on any matters arising from it. No further information will be provided until the operation has been concluded,” Mathe said.
The arrests mark the latest development arising from evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission, which was established to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazion 6 July 2025.
Behari became a central figure during the commission’s hearings after witnesses alleged that he played a role in shielding Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary proceedings. Evidence before the commission suggested that disciplinary action against the metro police boss was halted despite serious allegations against him. Behari has consistently denied wrongdoing.
According to reports carried by major broadcasters, investigators have been probing allegations involving senior municipal officials whose names surfaced during testimony before the commission. The arrests are understood to form part of broader efforts by law enforcement agencies to act on recommendations and evidence emerging from the inquiry.
Mashazi, who previously served as Ekurhuleni city manager, was also implicated during commission proceedings. Testimony heard by the commission linked her and other senior officials to decisions that allegedly protected certain municipal officials from accountability.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the arrests, describing them as a significant step towards accountability in Ekurhuleni.
DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the arrests were the result of sustained efforts by various stakeholders, including whistleblowers, the media, the DA and the Madlanga Commission.
“These arrests are a result of sustained efforts at accountability by multiple actors, including the Madlanga Commission, the press, whistleblowers and the DA as we have been building our criminal case against Mashazi for months,” Rasilingwane said.
She added that law enforcement authorities should continue pursuing all individuals implicated in corruption and maladministration.
“Those responsible for corruption, maladministration and obstructing accountability must face the full might of the law,” she said.
The Madlanga Commission has already had a significant impact on South Africa’s law enforcement landscape, with several arrests and prosecutions flowing from investigations conducted by the SAPS task team established to act on evidence presented before the inquiry. This year, authorities indicated that more arrests linked to commission evidence were expected.
SAPS said further details regarding the charges facing the four suspects would be released once they had formally appeared in court.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention as authorities continue to act against individuals implicated in alleged corruption and misconduct uncovered during the commission’s proceedings.
