{
  "id": 11379005,
  "title": "Public Protector finds Imogen Mashazi acted improperly in metro police appointment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/public-protector-finds-imogen-mashazi-acted-improperly-in-metro",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T06:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/public-protector-finds-imogen-mashazi-acted-improperly-in-metro-police-appointment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has determined that former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi engaged in improper conduct during the appointment of Ndumiso Aschendorf Gcwabe to a senior metro police position. The decision was announced on Thursday as part of a series of investigations by the Public Protector. Gcwabe was appointed as Deputy Chief of Metro Police: Security and Loss Control in 2022, following a complaint from Vukile Mlungwana of the Municipal Employees and Civil Servants Union (MECSU). Mlungwana claimed that Gcwabe did not meet the minimum qualifications for the role, which required a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification. The investigation revealed that Gcwabe's highest post-matric qualification was a National Diploma in Policing, graded at NQF level 6, and that his certificate in the Crime Prevention Management Programme was a six-month short course, neither of which qualified him for the position. The Public Protector found that Dr Mashazi, as Accounting Officer of CoE at the time, acted improperly in the appointment. The investigation also uncovered that Ekurhuleni officials failed to properly verify Gcwabe's academic qualifications in accordance with the City's Talent Acquisition Policy. While a private service provider verified the documents, the Public Protector noted that the process only confirmed the validity of the qualifications and not their NQF levels, as required by the City's policy. Consequently, the appointment was deemed irregular and Gcwabe was found not to meet the necessary qualifications. Gcaleka instructed the Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor to present the report to the municipal council within 90 days, who must deliberate and decide on the appropriate course of action, including the potential for judicial review under the Labour Relations Act. The City Manager is required to provide administrative support in preparing the matter for council, and the municipality must train its human resources officials on the Talent Acquisition Policy to ensure proper verification and authentication of qualifications, including confirmation of NQF levels, before future appointments.",
  "summary": "The Public Protector ordered Ekurhuleni to consider action against the irregular appointment and strengthen qualification verification, including SAQA checks, before future municipal appointments are finalised.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Mashazi found guilty of improper conduct: Public Protector",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/mashazi-found-guilty-of-improper-conduct-public-protector",
        "published": "2026-10-02T05:21:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Mchunu probe: Public Protector says investigation is nearing finish line",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/mchunu-probe-public-protector-says-investigation-is-nearing-finish",
        "published": "2026-10-02T06:44:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}