ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo has confronted Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza for failing to ensure public safety, saying the recent killings of women in Kempton Park happened under his watch.
The exchange took place on Monday during the IOL Town Hall Debate on the City of Ekurhuleni at Joburg Theatre, ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The debate was moderated by IOL deputy editor Lee Rondganger.
It brought together mayoral candidates to outline their plans to address the metro’s challenges, including crime, service delivery failures and corruption allegations involving the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Representing their parties were EFF mayoral candidate Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, MK Party candidate Thulani Shonwe, Rise Mzansi’s Christian de Jager, BOSA’s Nongelo Chiumei and IFP candidate Aldo Ngobese.
Xhakaza, who became executive mayor on April 11, 2024, is seeking a second term.
He was elected unopposed following the removal of his predecessor, African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor Sivuyile Ngodwana, through a motion of no confidence.
The elections are scheduled for November 4.
Khumalo challenges mayor over public safety
Khumalo criticised Xhakaza over the killings of women in Ekurhuleni, arguing that the current administration had failed to protect residents.
“I understand one thing that I know of: the reason why we have decided to open so many anti-crime units is because we know that under the current administration, the mayor sitting next to me, these women died under his watch,” Khumalo said.
He questioned whether EMPD officers who had allegedly not undergone proper vetting had been dismissed, arguing that their continued employment undermined public safety.
“They are still employed by the city. It means the current administration and the mayor tell us it's harbouring 200 criminals. How do you expect that city to become safe?” he said.
Khumalo also accused the metro police of failing to ensure compliance with firearms regulations and criticised the training provided to officers, saying EMPD officers always have missing rounds in their magazines.
“They are not properly trained because the best they can do is go to a shooting range and only fire five rounds. So there is no investment in capacitating the metropolis,” he added.
Tshivhenga calls for urgent vetting of officers
EFF mayoral candidate Nthabiseng Tshivhenga said the metro needed to establish who was fit to serve in its law enforcement structures, calling for the immediate vetting of existing EMPD officers and disaster and emergency management services (DEMS) personnel.
“It is very important that we know who is in the system.
“We cannot start dealing with the allegations without understanding the current cohort, who the people are. So we need to have a vetting system that can happen immediately.”
Tshivhenga, the former council speaker, said officers found unsuitable for their positions should be removed, while the city should introduce effective shift systems and improved working conditions.
She also raised concerns about promotions, alleging that some officers had been awarded ranks based on personal relationships rather than merit.
“We must reward whoever is deserving. We must pay them fairly. We must ensure that the issue of overtime, where they need to be paid, is addressed,” she said.
Tshivhenga added that officers needed adequate equipment and training to carry out their duties effectively.
“You can't have a person who is supposed to fight criminals when they don't have the necessary working tools to do that,” she said, arguing that some officers lacked the necessary knowledge to perform their duties and calling for measures to professionalise the department and restore public confidence.
Madlanga Commission allegations cast shadow over EMPD
The debate took place amid growing scrutiny of the EMPD following testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and other officials have been implicated in allegations involving irregular agreements with companies linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Evidence presented to the commission has included allegations concerning memorandums signed in 2021 that allowed Matlala-linked security and medical companies, including Cat VIP Protection Services and Medicare24, to use red and blue emergency lights in exchange for vehicle donations to the municipality.
The allegations have intensified questions about accountability within the metro police.
Xhakaza blames previous administration
Xhakaza rejected the suggestion that the problems facing the metro could be attributed solely to his administration, pointing to decisions made during the previous coalition government.
He said the issues raised at the Madlanga Commission needed to be understood in the context of changes in the city's leadership in 2021, when the DA's Tania Campbell became mayor.
“I think we must properly locate the Madlanga Commission problems, because these are some of the problems that happened with the changes of leadership in 2021 and the introduction of the coalition,” Xhakaza said.
He also cited problems with the city's information and communications technology systems and an abandoned infrastructure project, arguing that the municipality needed to rebuild public trust.
According to Xhakaza, restoring confidence in local government would require stronger leadership and decisive action against wrongdoing.
“Everything starts at the top. We need proper leadership in the council,” he said.
He noted that more than 69 political parties were contesting the Ekurhuleni metro and raised concerns about the backgrounds and track records of some political organisations.
Xhakaza also referred to recent shootings involving political figures in Katlehong, arguing that political parties and their candidates needed greater scrutiny.
Mayor says EMPD vetting is under way
Responding to concerns about the conduct of metro police officers, Xhakaza said the municipality had already undertaken vetting within the EMPD and was implementing measures to address problems in the department.
“We have vetted the EMPD. We can tell you now who is wrong,” he said.
He added that the city was focusing on training, introducing shift systems and implementing measures to improve the department's effectiveness.
“This is practical work that we are doing to clean up the city,” Xhakaza said.
He maintained that the administration was taking action to address the challenges facing the metro.
However, Khumalo questioned whether officers suspected of wrongdoing had actually been removed, insisting that the mayor needed to account for the department's continued shortcomings.
Service delivery remains a key election issue
Beyond public safety, Ekurhuleni continues to face persistent service delivery challenges, including broken traffic and street lights, potholes, hijacked buildings, water and sanitation problems, power cuts and high levels of crime.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate policing and a lack of visible metro police officers in their communities.
The killings of women in and around Kempton Park in recent months has further heightened concerns about safety and the city's ability to protect vulnerable residents.
The Ekurhuleni debate forms part of IOL's four-day Town Hall Debates, running from October 19 to 22, featuring mayoral candidates from several metropolitan municipalities.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL Politics