{"id":34837,"date":"2025-11-17T17:27:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/?p=34837"},"modified":"2025-11-17T17:27:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:27:56","slug":"thepa-reinstated-as-empd-spokesperson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2025\/11\/17\/thepa-reinstated-as-empd-spokesperson\/","title":{"rendered":"Thepa reinstated as EMPD spokesperson"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo credit: Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The City of Ekurhuleni has reinstated, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, as the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).<\/p>\n

The decision comes a few days after Thepa gave a chilling testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, detailing alleged corruption within the metro.<\/p>\n

She told the commission she had been forcibly removed from her position and was nearly assassinated after exposing alleged wrongdoing involving EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi.<\/p>\n

Thepa alleges that she was accosted at gunpoint by three men who demanded her cellphone, allegedly seeking sensitive information stored on the device.<\/p>\n\t

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    \n\t\t\tThepa reinstated as EMPD spokesperson<\/span>\n\t\t\tLindiwe Mpanza<\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\n

    The city’s spokesperson, Phakamile Mbengashe, says the EMPD’s Media and Public Relations Unit has formally been reinstated following an internal review of the department’s communication structures.<\/p>\n

    He says the decision is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and public confidence in the EMPD.<\/p>\n

    Meanwhile, newly appointed City Manager Kagiso Lerutla says consistent and accountable communication is essential for any law enforcement agency operating in a constitutional democracy.<\/p>\n

    “The reinstatement of the EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit is a corrective governance measure that ensures our communications functions operate within an approved structure, with clear reporting lines and proper oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Lerutla added that the reinstatement of Thepa and the media unit is an administrative and governance intervention and does not pre-empt the findings of the Commission.<\/p>\n

    “We will continue to cooperate fully with the Madlanga Commission and respect its independence. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that our internal structures.”<\/p>\n

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    Kelebogile Thepa.\u2665\ufe0f\ud83c\udf8a\ud83c\udf8a#MadlangaCommission<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/o0kLEUBp0e<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2014 \ud83d\udc8cBAB\ud83d\udc95 (@MantloroRammala) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n