Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has found that former City of Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi committed improper conduct in the appointment of a senior metro police official who did not meet the minimum qualifications for the job.
Gcaleka released the damning finding on Thursday afternoon among a series of investigation reports.
The investigation involves the appointment of Ndumiso Gcwabe to the influential post of Deputy Chief of Metro Police for Security and Loss Control.
The Public Protector found that Gcwabe was not qualified for the post at the time of his appointment.
The report found the post required an NQF Level 7 qualification, which Gcwabe did not have. He only held a National Diploma in Policing and certificates in crime prevention.
Mashazi, as accounting officer at the time, nevertheless pushed through the appointment.
“As a result, we find that Mr Gcwabe did not qualify for the position of Deputy Chief of Metro Police. In the circumstances, we further find that the conduct of the former City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi as Accounting Officer of CoE at the time of appointment of Mr Gcwabe constitutes improper conduct,” Gcaleka said.
The finding deepens the legal pressure on Mashazi, who has already been implicated in testimony before the Madlanga Commission probing criminality and political interference in the justice system.
She is facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice alongside other Ekurhuleni officials, linked to alleged tender fraud and meddling in the EMPD.
According to Gcaleka, recruitment prescripts were ignored when Gcwabe was elevated to the senior post despite not meeting the advertised requirements.
She has recommended that the City take the appointment on judicial review to determine its legality.
She, however, said no remedial action could be imposed on Mashazi directly as she is no longer in municipal employ, having exited in 2023 after her contract was not renewed.
The report adds to a pattern of questionable appointments in the EMPD, which has been dogged by claims of political favouritism and the installation of unqualified loyalists in key law enforcement roles.
In recent years the department has been the subject of whistleblower complaints and probes into abuse of power and circumvention of vetting processes.
Gcaleka said the City must now correct the irregular appointment and ensure future senior EMPD recruitments comply with the Municipal Systems Act and its own hiring policies.
The City of Ekurhuleni had not responded at the time of publication.
