Johannesburg – The Head of Department for Legal and Risk Services, Advocate Kemi Behari, has been suspended by the City of Ekurhuleni for failing to act against wrongdoing.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, the City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that Advocate Behari has been placed on “precautionary suspension with full remuneration”.
Advocate Behari is the second official to be suspended by the City of Ekurhuleni after testimony at the Madlanga Commission implicated them in maladministration.
The Madlanga Commission is a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
Last month, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi was suspended following danming testimony at the Madlanga Commission that alleged serious wrongdoing involving the abuse of blue lights.
RELATED: Madlanga Commission Damning Testimony: EMPD Deputy Chief Mkhwanazi Suspended – The Bulrushes
Earlier this week, the ongoing commission heard that Advocate Behari received the Independent Police Investigative Directorate report recommending disciplinary action against Brigadier Mkhwanazi.
Behari’s opinion was deemed vague, and as a result, the then City of Ekurhuleni manager, Dr. Imogen Mashazi, told the Madlanga Commission that she did not follow up on the matter, and no action was taken against Brigadier Mkhwanazi.
Although no reasons were provided for the advocate’s suspension, the statement said the decision follows the resolution of the Municipal Council taken on 18 November 2025, which delegated authority to the City Manager to act in terms of the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, 2010 (Government Notice 34213 of 21 April 2011).
“In line with Regulation 6(1) of the Disciplinary Regulations, the City Manager, Mr. Kagiso Lerutla, considered whether a basis existed to implement a precautionary suspension,” the statement said.
“Advocate Behari was afforded an opportunity to provide written representations in accordance with Regulation 6(2).
“After careful consideration of these representations and the applicable legislative framework, the City Manager resolved to institute a precautionary suspension.”
However, the City of Ekuhuleni emphasised that the suspension was not a finding of guilt, nor does it constitute disciplinary action.
“It is an interim measure intended to ensure the integrity of ongoing internal processes, protect the interests of the municipality, and uphold principles of good governance.”
