Ekurhuleni legal head Kemi Behari arrested in South Africa corruption probe

Suspended City of Ekurhuleni head of legal services Kemi Behari was arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) shortly after attending a disciplinary hearing. The arrest follows allegations presented to the Madlanga Commission that Behari, along with other senior municipal officials, protected acting chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Julius Mkhwanazi, from disciplinary action.

Commission testimony said Behari failed to implement a council resolution directing disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi, who is accused of unlawfully approving a contract that gave a private security firm linked to suspected underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala unauthorized access to police blue lights. Witnesses also alleged that Behari and former HR executive Linda Gxasheka received roughly R600,000 in salary increases in exchange for ensuring the case was dropped. Behari has denied the bribery claims. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the operation is ongoing and no further details will be released.