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EMPD vehicle
City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says there’s a process under way to root out the City’s Metro Police (EMPD) officials found guilty of committing crimes.
The Madlanga Commission has heard that almost 300 officers have criminal records or are awaiting trial for serious offences.
On Tuesday, EMPD Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi was suspended following recommendations of an internal audit investigation into allegations of misconduct.
Xhakaza says lawlessness will not be tolerated within the EMPD.
“What is important is that we need to clean our system and rid it of wrong elements. Those that are reported to have committed crime, there must be action and that is what council has directed us to do and that what communities want us to do and that is exactly what we are going to do,” says Xhakaza.
Meanwhile, Xhakaza has warned that any official found to be involved in wrongdoing in relation to Mkhwanazi’s suspension will face disciplinary action.
This follows damning allegations that the City’s Head of HR Linda Gxasheka, and Head of Legal Services Kemi Behari actively blocked disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi despite findings of wrongdoing.
Xhakaza says a forensic report on Mkhwanazi’s alleged misconduct will soon be tabled before council.
“The internal forensic report that we had commissioned has pronounced and that is clearly now why that is the suspension of the acting chief and all other related officials who would have connived deliberately and all that. And the report is there and being processed as we speak and it will serve in council and that report will be implemented fully without fear or favour,” Xhakaza explains.
