By Nokwanda Ncwane
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that four suspects were arrested overnight by the Madlanga Commission Recommendations Task Team during a takedown operation conducted in various parts of Johannesburg.
Those arrested include current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Former city manager Imogen Mashazi is among the suspects expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
“The SAPS will provide further details once the suspects have appeared in court,” national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
Mashazi previously appeared before the Madlanga Commission in 2025 as part of its investigation into allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
During her testimony, the commission heard that she did not institute disciplinary action against certain municipal officials, including suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, despite recommendations from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). It also heard that she failed to act on allegations raised by municipal employees relating to alleged wrongdoing within the municipality.
Recently, the commission also heard that in July 2022, while serving as Ekurhuleni city manager, Mashazi travelled to London for a three-day shopping trip with her husband and two friends on a privately chartered aircraft.
Evidence presented to the commission included an invoice indicating that the charter flight, valued at approximately R3.5 million, was paid for by politically connected businessman Ze Nxumalo through one of his companies, ZIG Revenue Management.
Nxumalo is the husband of former Miss South Africa and medical doctor Tamaryn Green.
