PRETORIA – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye enjoys the protection of political figures.
This is what Ekurhuleni City Manager, Imogen Mashazi, told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry when she returned to the witness stand on Tuesday
Her testimony comes after Commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo pressed Mashazi once again on why she did not discipline Mapiyeye following mounting allegations against him.
Mapiyeye was accused of fathering multiple children with subordinates who were vulnerable to his alleged abuse of power, including sexual harassment, coercion and rape.
READ| ‘My hands were tied’: Mashazi on sexual assault claims against EMPD chief of police
Khumalo pointed out that despite being aware of the misconduct, Mashazi recommended that Mapiyeye be granted another five-year term as police chief.
He said she also had the opportunity, as part of the interview panel, to confront him directly about the allegations, but still did nothing
But Mashazi insisted she could not act alone.
She told the commission that disciplinary regulations required a formal written complaint before any investigation or precautionary suspension could proceed — and that council approval was needed to act against a Section 56 manager.
"I indicated yesterday that my hands were very tied because he's been protected politically throughout," she said.