Four high-ranking Ekurhuleni municipal officials accused of corruption and fraud linked to a blue lights scandal have been released on bail following their arrest earlier this week.
Dr Imogen Mashazi, former city manager of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, along with Head of Legal Services Advocate Khemraj Behari, Head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka and Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief of Police Julius Doctor Mkhwanazi, were each granted R50 000 bail by the Germiston Magistrates’ Court.
The arrests took place this week on 8 July during overnight raids conducted by a specialised task team established following recommendations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. All four appeared in court facing charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
Behari and Mkhwanazi were granted bail on 9 July but only managed to pay their bail and secure release on 10 July. Mashazi and Gxasheka spent an additional night in custody while the State verified their residential addresses before being released.
The charges stem from allegations that the officials abused public office, authorised unlawful salary adjustments and obstructed internal disciplinary processes in connection with what has become known as the “blue lights scandal”.
According to evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission, Mkhwanazi allegedly facilitated an irregular arrangement that allowed vehicles belonging to businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s private security company, Cat VIP Security Services, to be registered as official Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department vehicles. This enabled the private vehicles to be fitted with blue lights reserved for law enforcement and respond to crime scenes as official units.
The scheme was exposed in February 2023 by investigative journalist Jeff Wicks, leading to the deregistration of the vehicles.
The commission heard testimony that when attempts were made to hold Mkhwanazi accountable, he was allegedly shielded from disciplinary action by senior municipal officials. Evidence suggested that Behari and Gasheka received salary increases of approximately R600 000 each as rewards for protecting Mkhwanazi from facing consequences.
Former city manager Mashazi was accused of instructing that Mkhwanazi’s suspension be lifted, though she has denied any wrongdoing.
The Madlanga Commission submitted an interim report on 17 December 2025 that found prima facie evidence of criminality, corruption and fraud against several current and former municipal and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department employees. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently directed that a special task team be established to act on the commission’s findings.
Police have indicated that further arrests in the case are possible.
The matter has been postponed to 28 August for further investigations.
ALSO READ: One year later: How the Madlanga Commission ripped through the justice system
