Two suspended Ekurhuleni officials were granted R50,000 bail each on Thursday in a corruption case involving illegal salary increases [1].
The proceedings highlight ongoing efforts to address financial misconduct within the municipal government, specifically regarding the unauthorized use of public funds for personal gain.
Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief, and Kemi Behari, the suspended legal head of Ekurhuleni City, appeared before the Germiston Magistrates Court on July 9, 2026 [2]. The court set the bail amount at R50,000 for each individual [1].
Both officials are among four people accused of corruption [1]. The charges stem from allegations that the group unlawfully increased municipal salaries without the required approval from the council [3]. Additionally, the accused are alleged to have obstructed internal disciplinary processes intended to investigate these financial irregularities [3].
The case was postponed until next Friday to allow the remaining two accused officials to apply for bail [3]. This delay ensures that all parties involved in the alleged scheme are processed by the judicial system before the trial proceeds.
While some reports suggested the case against Mkhwanazi had been withdrawn, court records indicate the matter remains active following the bail hearing [2]. The legal process continues as the court examines the evidence regarding the unauthorized pay hikes and the interference with city disciplinary actions.
“Two suspended Ekurhuleni officials were granted R50,000 bail each”
The prosecution of high-ranking police and legal officials in Ekurhuleni suggests a systemic crackdown on administrative corruption. By targeting those who control disciplinary processes and payroll, the city is attempting to dismantle the mechanisms that allow illegal salary adjustments to go undetected.
