PRETORIA - Former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that she was blocked from acting on what she called the 'systemic abuse of power' by Chief of Police Isaac Mapiyeye.
Mashazi is the latest witness to appear as the commission resumed on Monday. She testified that it had been reported to her that Mapiyeye had fathered multiple children with subordinates who were vulnerable to his alleged abuse of power, including sexual harassment, coercion and rape.
But Commissioner Sesi Baloyi put it to her that, having served first as Chief Operating Officer and later as Municipal Manager, and in those roles becoming aware of problems within the EMPD, yet she'd failed to act.
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Despite having the authority to intervene, Baloyi said Mashazi did not appoint anyone to investigate, that she'd continued with her duties until an allegation was formally raised.
In response, Mashazi said that what she'd heard were general comments from women, and that no formal complaint had ever been submitted to her.
“You cannot just investigate without a formal complaint, an affidavit, or a written grievance. What I did as a reasonable officer and City Manager was to create a programme to deal with the systemic issue. It was a platform where women could be empowered and promoted,” Mashazi said.
Commission Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga expressed concern about the manner in which Mashazi handled the reports of “horrendous acts” allegedly committed by the Chief of Police.
He put it to her that from 2016 to 2025, during her tenure, she took no action while the issues persisted — and Mashazi conceded to this.
Mashazi added that the women Mapiyeye referred to as his “angels”* were those he allegedly slept with in exchange for promotions.
When asked whether these were merely rumours, she insisted they were not.