By Johnathan Paoli
Former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended human resources head Linda Gxasheka will remain in custody for another night after the Germiston Magistrate’s Court postponed their bail applications pending verification of their residential addresses.
Legal services head Kemi Behari and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi were each granted bail of R50,000 on Thursday but also remained at the Brooklyn Police Station overnight after the bail office had closed before payment could be processed.
The four are facing charges linked to alleged corruption, irregular salary increases and the obstruction of disciplinary proceedings.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Trevor Klaasen granted bail to Behari and Mkhwanazi but postponed judgment on the applications of Mashazi and Gxasheka until Friday.
“The application in respect of accused 1 and 3 is adjourned until tomorrow. Bail is granted in respect of accused 2 and 4 in the amount of R50,000 each under the following conditions,” Klaasen ruled.
As part of his bail conditions, Behari was ordered to surrender his travel documents to the investigating officer before the close of business on Thursday and report to the Brooklyn Police Station every Friday between 05:00 and 20:00 until the matter is finalised.
He was also prohibited from contacting municipal employees in the finance, human resources and procurement departments, except in relation to his disciplinary proceedings, and must notify the investigating officer before travelling outside Gauteng or leaving South Africa.
Mkhwanazi was similarly ordered to notify the investigating officer before any international travel.
Addressing the accused, Klaasen warned that failure to comply with the bail conditions could result in bail being revoked.
“Accused 2 and 4, you understand these conditions? If you fail to abide by these conditions, the State can bring an application that your bail be declared forfeited to the State and that you be remanded in custody. The matter is postponed until tomorrow, 10 July 2026. Accused 1 and 3 are remanded in custody,” he said.
The State did not oppose bail for Behari and Mkhwanazi, although it initially argued that bail should be set at R100,000 each.
However, prosecutors requested additional time to verify the residential addresses of Mashazi and Gxasheka before the court considered their bail applications.
The State told the court that Mashazi was linked to more than seven addresses requiring verification, while Gxasheka had two addresses that still needed to be confirmed.
Mashazi’s legal representative opposed a lengthy postponement and asked that the matter resume on Friday, suggesting that Criminal Record and Trial (CRT) officials conduct the address verification overnight.
Gxasheka’s lawyer also opposed a longer delay, arguing that his client is the mother of a four-year-old child and that postponing the matter for nearly a week would be unfair.
Klaasen said the court was required to consider several factors when determining bail, including the interests of minor children affected by the proceedings.
The hearing was initially delayed after defence lawyers complained they had not received the charge sheet and lacked sufficient details of the allegations against their clients.
According to the charge sheet, the State alleges that Behari and Gxasheka each unlawfully benefited from salary increases amounting to about R1.3 million between 2023 and 2026, while Mkhwanazi allegedly received an irregular salary adjustment worth approximately R1.7 million following his appointment as EMPD deputy chief.
The prosecution further alleges that Mashazi, Behari and Gxasheka acted together to frustrate disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi following allegations relating to the registration of vehicles supplied by CAT VIP Protection, a company linked to controversial businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The four face multiple charges under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, including corruption involving the giving and receiving of gratifications, as well as charges of fraud and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
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