The Madlanga Commission has turned its attention to a trove of WhatsApp messages extracted from the phone of late taxi boss Jothan “King Mswazi” Msibi, uncovering alleged attempts to trade sophisticated surveillance technology, influence an Ekurhuleni tender and intervene in criminal cases. No witness was called to the stand on Tuesday, with proceedings instead focused on evidence led by Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC from Msibi’s WhatsApp communications. Msibi died in January 2024 and has previously been linked by witnesses to…

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is facing renewed scrutiny after Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo called for stronger discipline, improved governance and greater operational efficiency, while the City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that Metro Police Chief Isaac Mapiyeye has been cleared of disciplinary charges and has returned to work. In a statement issued on Monday, Mamabolo said the integrity of municipal law enforcement is essential to maintaining public confidence, preventing crime and ensuring effective municipal…

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…

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…

The City of Ekurhuleni is set to make another attempt on Monday to pass its 2026/27 budget after four previous efforts failed to secure enough support in council, raising concerns about the municipality’s ability to meet critical financial deadlines and continue implementing key service delivery programmes. The extraordinary council meeting comes with just days remaining before the start of the new municipal financial year on 1 July. Municipalities are required by law to adopt their budgets before the end of…

The City of Ekurhuleni on Thursday condemned the fatal shooting of five Benoni Taxi Association (BTA) patrollers and two other transport operators in what authorities have described as a senseless act of violence that threatens efforts to bring stability to Gauteng’s public transport sector. The shooting occurred on Wednesday evening at the Holfontein off-ramp towards Etwatwa along the N12, claiming the lives of five BTA patrollers, a scholar transport driver and an e-hailing driver. The motive for the attack remains…

The City of Ekurhuleni’s political and governance crisis has deepened after the municipality’s proposed 2026/27 budget failed to secure council approval for a fourth time, prompting renewed criticism from opposition parties and raising concerns about the metro’s ability to meet statutory deadlines. The latest rejection places the ANC-led coalition under mounting pressure to secure support for a lawful budget before the end of June, failing which the city could face provincial intervention in terms of Section 139(4) of the Constitution.…

For decades, South Africans have lived with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, a disease that has claimed millions of lives, torn families apart and left communities grappling with stigma and loss. Now, health authorities believe a groundbreaking new prevention tool could help turn the tide in the fight against the epidemic. The City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection that is now available at selected public healthcare facilities across the metro. The injection…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni has intensified pressure on the City of Ekurhuleni to suspend embattled City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, warning that it will pursue legal action should the municipality fail to act. A small group of DA supporters gathered outside municipal offices on Monday morning, wearing blue party T-shirts and carrying placards reading “Ekurhuleni is a crime scene” and “Justice for Ekurhuleni” as Lerutla prepared to return to work following a period of special leave. The DA argues…

The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed it has entered into a settlement agreement with senior official Xolani Prince Nciza following an internal probe triggered by revelations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. In a media statement issued on Wednesday, the metro said it was compelled to investigate matters relating to Nciza after issues concerning his qualifications surfaced during proceedings at the commission, which is probing governance and law enforcement failures. As part of the investigation, the City engaged the relevant…