Madlanga Commission | EMPD chief accused of fathering children with subordinates

December 1, 2025 98

Former Ekurhuleni municipal manager, Dr. Imogen Mashazi, has accused suspended EMPD police chief Isaac Mapiyeye of fathering multiple children with junior staff in the department.

Mashazi testified before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, addressing allegations about her tenure and her alleged unusually close association with suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi.

Mashazi — who has been accused of helping sideline officials who reported alleged misconduct by Mkhwanazi — instead claimed that Mapiyeye engaged in inappropriate relationships with subordinates in exchange for career favours.

Mapiyeye, who faces serious sexual-misconduct allegations, previously told the commission he was targeted for exposing Mkhwanazi. He has accused Mkhwanazi of fraudulently securing his position, unlawfully appointing associates, and granting blue-light privileges to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Mashazi told the commission that Mapiyeye referred to his alleged victims as “angels” and noted that there is an active protection order against him.

She added she could not recall how many children Mapiyeye fathered outside of his marriage, saying she handled a large volume of HR cases, and again claimed the embattled police chief is facing a rape case currently under investigation.

Mashazi also denied allegations that she failed to institute legal action against Mkhwanazi and other EMPD officials accused of stealing precious stones worth approximately R45 million.

Previously, Chief Mapiyeye testified that before his immediate suspension, he had raised concerns with Mashazi about Mkhwanazi’s alleged involvement in the theft of the stones intended for export.

The commission was also shown CCTV footage allegedly showing Mkhwanazi and several EMPD officials committing the unlawful act.

But Mashazi insisted it is unfair for her to be scrutinised, arguing that disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi should have been taken by Mapiyeye in his capacity as police chief.

“Did you ask him the same question of what did he do because he was also there? It has nothing to do with the accounting officer, he has the function and powers from the suspect that he must discipline. We discussed these powers in the morning that he is empowered. He has the authority to discipline his subordinates. I think it’s unfair that these questions are now posed to me while he failed to do his duties,” says Dr. Mashazi.

Mashazi maintains that disciplining junior officials is not her responsibility and lies solely with the police chief.

However, the commission rejected her attempts to shift blame. Chairperson, Sesi Baloyi, said the least a city manager should do is take accountability for issues occurring within the municipality.

Mashazi also denied claims that she ordered Mkhwanazi’s reinstatement after his suspension.

Last month, Ekurhuleni HR director, Xolani Nciza, alleged that Mashazi called him and Mapiyeye, yelling at them for attempting to extend Mkhwanazi’s suspension, and instructing them to allow him back on duty immediately.

Mashazi shifted the responsibility to EMPD HR head of department, Linda Xasheka, who allegedly signed the reinstatement letter, saying she may have misunderstood her role within the EMPD.

She told the commission she could not recall whether she personally handled the matter in 2023 because of the volume of cases on her desk — though she conceded it is a serious matter requiring proper attention.

Mashazi further admitted that it was unlawful for Mkhwanazi to enter into agreements with companies linked to Matlala without her knowledge or approval. Matlala’s firms — Medicare 24 and Cat VIP Security Services — are alleged to have collaborated fraudulently with the EMPD.

She distanced herself from the implementation of those contracts, saying she only became aware of them after receiving reports from IPID. She argued that responsibility for decisive action again lay with the police chief.

The commission also played a previous interview in which Mashazi said Mkhwanazi “did nothing wrong”, relying on an internal audit led by Chief Audit Executive Phillip Rakgwale — although she could not recall when the audit was conducted.