By Johnathan Paoli
Former Head of Employee Relations at the Ekurhuleni Municipality, Xolani Nciza, has detailed how he and his colleagues feared for their safety while handling disciplinary action against controversial metro police deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, who is currently on suspension.
Led by evidence leader Ofentse Motlhasedi, Nciza’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission followed that of retired Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Revo Spies, who earlier alleged widespread victimisation, fraudulent appointments, and irregular procurement under Mkhwanazi’s command.
Nciza outlined his role as Divisional Head of Employee Relations, a position he held from 2017 until his summary dismissal in March 2024. His department, he explained, was responsible for assessing misconduct allegations and ensuring that disciplinary sanctions were properly enforced.
“The sector I worked in was highly regulated. There were clear rules on how allegations should be handled, who initiates investigations, and how sanctions are implemented,” he said.
Responding to Motlhasedi, Nciza said disciplinary authority ultimately rested with departmental heads and supervisors, though the City Manager could delegate such powers to other officials. His unit served as the procedural gatekeeper — determining whether cases warranted disciplinary hearings.
Nciza’s involvement in the ‘blue lights’ scandal began when Spies and Colonel Hennie Erasmus from the EMPD’s Integrity and Standards Unit approached him following inquiries from News24 journalist Jeff Wicks, who had reportedly verified that vehicles belonging to businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala were registered as official EMPD vehicles.
“It was an unusual situation,” Nciza recalled. “Spies and Erasmus showed me that Brigadier Mkhwanazi had even produced an ‘operational plan’ for a 2022 State of the City event that included Matlala’s security company. They were concerned the document was not authentic.”
Spies and Erasmus, he added, warned that Mkhwanazi’s continued presence at work could compromise witnesses and recommended his suspension pending investigation.
Nciza said the scandal had already damaged the EMPD’s public image and left officials fearing for their safety, given Matlala’s notoriety and the sensitivity of the case.
“The issue of safety became critical at some point. Staff even considered asking for protection for their families,” he told the commission.
He recounted meeting City Manager Imogen Mashazi at a luxury car dealership, describing the setting as “lavish,” but said Mashazi was supportive of allowing the investigation to proceed and agreed that Mkhwanazi should be placed on precautionary suspension.
Even within the Human Resources Department, Nciza said fear was palpable.
One HR official reportedly broke down in tears but ultimately signed Mkhwanazi’s pre-suspension letter — an act Nciza described as “courageous under the circumstances.”
He confirmed that he and his colleagues believed they were being surveilled during the period leading up to the suspension, adding that the internal atmosphere within both the City and EMPD had grown toxic.
“There was a feeling that we were fighting something much bigger than a misconduct case. People were afraid to talk, afraid to act. It was a dangerous situation,” Nciza said.
The hearing resumes on Wednesday morning.
INSIDE POLITICS