Suspended City of Ekurhuleni head of legal services Kemi Behari has reportedly been arrested shortly after attending a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, in what is being seen as a major development in an ongoing corruption investigation involving senior municipal officials in South Africa.
Behari was reportedly arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), although authorities have yet to disclose the specific charges he may face.
The arrest follows allegations that Behari and other senior officials helped protect suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) acting chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action despite serious findings against him.
The allegations surfaced during hearings before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where evidence was presented that Behari allegedly failed to implement a council resolution directing disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi was implicated in findings by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) relating to the alleged unlawful approval of a contract that reportedly allowed a private security company linked to suspected underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to gain unauthorised access to police blue lights.
The commission heard that Behari’s alleged failure to act enabled Mkhwanazi to avoid disciplinary action for an extended period.
Witnesses also alleged that Behari and former Ekurhuleni human resources executive Linda Gxasheka received salary increases worth approximately R600,000 in exchange for ensuring disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi did not move forward.
Former municipal employee relations head Xolani Nciza testified that disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi were abruptly halted in 2023.
Behari has denied all allegations against him, insisting claims that he accepted a bribe are false and without merit.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that law enforcement officials were conducting an operation linked to the commission’s recommendations but declined to comment further.
“No further information will be provided until the operation has been concluded,” Mathe said.
Mkhwanazi faces multiple allegations
Mkhwanazi himself has been at the centre of numerous allegations presented before the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating corruption and alleged criminal infiltration within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
Among the claims aired during the inquiry are allegations that he authorised more than 50 promotions within the EMPD without following proper procedures, approved the installation of police blue lights on vehicles linked to Matlala, and oversaw the use of allegedly forged memoranda of understanding involving private companies.
The commission has also heard allegations linking Mkhwanazi and members of a specialised EMPD unit to interference at crime scenes, the alleged theft of copper during a raid in Meyerton, the kidnapping of a truck driver in Benoni, and the alleged theft of precious stones valued at R45 million during a police operation in Johannesburg.
Other testimony has alleged that Mkhwanazi refused to undergo State Security Agency vetting and was implicated in the alleged torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense in 2022. Those allegations remain before the commission and have not been tested in court.
In June this year, a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer, identified only as Witness K, also alleged before the commission that Mkhwanazi and other officers stole precious stones during a police raid in Killarney in 2023.
The City of Ekurhuleni suspended Mkhwanazi in November 2025 pending disciplinary proceedings, stressing at the time that the suspension was precautionary and did not amount to a finding of guilt.
He was later arrested in April 2026 following his testimony before the commission and now faces charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. He was subsequently released on R30,000 bail by the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court.
Behari’s reported arrest is expected to intensify scrutiny of the alleged cover-up surrounding disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi as investigators continue to pursue those implicated in the matter.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
