Ekurhuleni to appoint new EMPD Chief after sexual harassment suspension

The City of Ekurhuleni says it will soon finalise the appointment of a new Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief, following the suspension of Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye, who has been on suspension for 13 months over allegations of sexual harassment.

This was confirmed by the metro’s city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, during a media briefing held amid mounting allegations of corruption within the EMPD. 

The briefing was led by City of Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

The Madlanga Commission recently heard testimony implicating senior EMPD officials, including suspended deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, in allegedly enabling criminal infiltration. 

Mkhwanazi is accused of installing blue lights on private vehicles belonging to alleged drug cartel member Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The city recently suspended EMPD deputy chief Mkhwanazi following an internal audit that found evidence of possible misconduct. 

His suspension, effective November 11, 2025, is described as an administrative step to protect the integrity of the disciplinary process.

Lerutla said the decision follows serious revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission into alleged corruption and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system.

He said the report being taken to council is not merely based on allegations but on a forensic investigation.

“When I was acting city manager around July, we received an enquiry from the Boundary and Provincial Legislature relating to the blue lights,” he said. 

“To respond to those issues, I subjected the matter to forensic investigation.”

Lerutla said the forensic investigation recommended formal charges or disciplinary processes against certain senior managers, including Mkhwanazi.

“Hence, the deputy chief of police was subjected to a disciplinary process, and today the executive mayor is taking an item to council,” he said.

Responding to whether the city was prepared to face legal challenges, Lerutla said a fully external forensic team had been appointed.

“They will look at disclosures as part of their work and propose remedial action. If they recommend we reverse promotions, they will have considered what labour laws permit.”

He said ongoing challenges within the EMPD stem partly from the prolonged leadership vacuum.

“Where there is no head of department, there will be challenges. The issue of the chief of police has been unresolved for 15 to 18 months, leaving a vacancy that creates difficulties. By law, the position requires someone with police expertise,” he said.

Lerutla said the mayor has mandated the administration to conclude long-outstanding disciplinary cases within three months to stabilise the department.

“As far as the chief of police is concerned, the matter was placed before the disciplinary committee based on a report tabled before council. The executive mayor has requested a progress report, which we aim to submit at next week’s council meeting,” he said.

Meanwhile, Xhakaza declined to comment on speculation that Mapiyeye may have been framed for sexual misconduct.

He said the city is moving to stabilise the metro police after a series of corruption allegations and leadership failures.

Xhakaza confirmed he has convened urgent meetings with the Mayoral Committee and requested an extraordinary council sitting to address internal investigation findings involving senior EMPD managers, including Mapiyeye and Mkhwanazi.

Mapiyeye has been on precautionary suspension since September 2024 over sexual harassment allegations. 

Xhakaza has ordered, a review of 55 allegedly irregular promotions, including a 21-day preliminary report on 275 allegedly unvetted officers, a full report on alleged irregular VIP protection deployments, a broader internal investigation into misconduct and administrative failures, with a 30-day deadline for the first report.

He said the measures aim to restore integrity in the EMPD and reinforce accountability. 

He said will also appoint a security adviser and create a commissioner of integrity to strengthen oversight, and has requested a meeting with IPID for updates on cases involving EMPD officers.

“These developments highlight systems that must be rebuilt,” he said. 

“Our response is rooted in renewal - restoring ethical leadership, strengthening controls and rebuilding public trust.”

IOL