Former Ekurhuleni City Manager at Centre of Explosive Testimony Before Inquiry

The Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, Imogen Mashazi, has taken the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, delivering explosive testimony that has sent shockwaves through the Ekurhuleni Metro and the wider public sector. In a detailed and emotional account, Mashazi accused suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief, Isaac Mapiyeye, of perpetrating a pattern of sexual harassment, coercion, and even rape against female officers under his command.

According to the Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, the extent of the alleged misconduct was known within EMPD for years and created what she described as a deeply unsafe environment for women in uniform. Mashazi’s testimony alleged that Mapiyeye “fathered multiple children” with subordinates who were vulnerable to his abuse of power, adding that at least one woman had reported being raped by the senior official.

Mashazi explained that she had been receiving reports from female officers over a number of years, spanning nearly a decade. The allegations, she said, were “consistent and deeply troubling,” pointing to a systemic pattern that she believes the Metro failed to adequately confront.

But the circumstances surrounding her appearance before the commission were not without controversy. Mashazi also claimed that she was forced into early retirement from her role as city manager by Ekurhuleni Mayor, Doctor Xhakaza—a move she alleges was politically motivated and designed to silence her.

“I was pressured to retire,” said the Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, insisting that her departure from office was not voluntary. She also accused the commission of unfairness, arguing that she had not been afforded sufficient time to prepare for her testimony and therefore felt prejudiced by the process.

Allegations Escalate as Former Ekurhuleni City Manager Testifies

Despite the severity of the accusations she outlined, the commission chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, challenged Mashazi on what he viewed as a lack of decisive action during her tenure. He noted that she had been receiving reports of sexual misconduct within EMPD as far back as 2016, yet the problems appeared to persist unchecked until 2025.

“So throughout from 2016 to 2025 you are continuing to receive these reports, which tell you that there’s a systemic problem, and you do nothing throughout your tenure as municipal manager?” Madlanga asked.

Mashazi conceded that she had not taken disciplinary action against Mapiyeye or others implicated, but defended herself by saying she did attempt to support female officers through initiatives rather than punitive measures.

“Yes, I take your point,” she responded. “Except to create the platform for them.” She described one such initiative as a programme meant to elevate and empower women in uniform—an effort she believed would foster a safer and more equitable working environment. However, Justice Madlanga criticised this approach, saying it did not address the misconduct at its source.

The testimony has prompted renewed public scrutiny of leadership responsibility within municipal institutions and the EMPD more specifically. Gender-based violence within law enforcement structures is especially alarming, and the allegations—if proven—could expose not only individual wrongdoing but structural failures in the City of Ekurhuleni’s oversight mechanisms.

For the Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, the issue is deeply personal. She maintains that her attempts to protect female officers were insufficient not because of indifference, but because of systematic resistance and political interference. The pressure she claims to have faced from Mayor Xhakaza, and her eventual removal from office, has raised questions about internal power dynamics and the willingness of the city’s leadership to confront allegations against senior officials.

Mashazi also criticised the commission for what she characterised as a lack of procedural fairness. She insisted that being denied adequate preparation time undermined her ability to explain the full context of her decisions. The commission, however, maintains that it is committed to uncovering the truth and holding accountable those who may have enabled or ignored misconduct.

Her testimony has intensified calls from activists, political parties, and oversight bodies for a broader investigation into EMPD culture and leadership practices. The allegations have brought new urgency to ongoing national conversations about power abuse, workplace safety, and gender-based violence in state institutions.

As proceedings continue, the spotlight remains fixed on the Former Ekurhuleni City Manager and the troubling accusations she has brought forward. The commission’s findings are anticipated to have far-reaching consequences—not only for individuals implicated but for the credibility and integrity of the Ekurhuleni Metro as a whole.

Source- EWN