Ex-Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell Addresses Corruption Allegations During Her Term

Key Takeaways

• The former mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell, has stated that any allegations of wrongdoing brought to her attention during her mayoralty were referred for investigation.
• The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is at the center of allegations of unlawful and improper conduct, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an alleged organized-crime figure.
• The Madlanga Commission has heard testimony that suggests the EMPD may have functioned as a criminal enterprise, with allegations of torture, murder, extortion, and hijackings.
• Experts believe that the allegations point to contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act.
• The killing of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe has raised questions about whether it was intended to silence him before the matter about which he testified at the Madlanga Commission reached court.

Introduction to the Scandal
The City of Ekurhuleni has been plagued by allegations of wrongdoing, including corruption and organized crime. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) has been at the center of these allegations, with testimony at the Madlanga Commission suggesting that the department may have functioned as a criminal enterprise. The former mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell, has stated that any allegations of wrongdoing brought to her attention during her mayoralty were referred for investigation. However, despite her claims, the allegations against the EMPD continue to mount, with experts believing that the department’s actions point to contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act.

The Memorandum of Understanding
One of the key allegations against the EMPD is the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an alleged organized-crime figure, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The MOU was signed during Campbell’s first stint as mayor, but she claims that neither she nor the Democratic Alliance (DA) was aware of it. The MOU has been described as unlawful, and experts believe that it points to a deeper level of corruption within the EMPD. The Madlanga Commission has heard testimony that suggests the EMPD may have been "captured" by criminal elements, with Matlala allegedly using his influence to further his own interests.

The Allegations Against the EMPD
The allegations against the EMPD are numerous and serious. Testimony at the Madlanga Commission has included allegations of torture, murder, extortion, and hijackings. The commission has also heard allegations of the EMPD’s involvement in copper-theft rackets and the unlawful integration of private security services. Experts believe that these allegations point to a coordinated criminal enterprise, with the EMPD functioning as a facilitator for organized crime. The allegations have been described as "shattering public trust" in the EMPD and the municipality, and experts believe that decisive investigations and punitive action are necessary to restore public confidence.

The Murder of Marius van der Merwe
The killing of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe has raised questions about whether it was intended to silence him before the matter about which he testified at the Madlanga Commission reached court. Van der Merwe was shot multiple times in front of his family outside his Brakpan home, and his killing has been described as a "hit". Experts believe that the killing may have been intended to prevent van der Merwe from testifying further, and that it may have been carried out by individuals connected to the EMPD or organized crime syndicates. The killing has highlighted the risks faced by whistleblowers in South Africa, and experts believe that it may have a chilling effect on others who may be considering coming forward to testify.

The Response of Experts
Experts have been quick to respond to the allegations against the EMPD, with many believing that the department’s actions point to a deeper level of corruption within the municipality. Professor Kholofelo Rakubu, the head of Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Law, Safety and Security Management, has stated that the allegations suggest a "prima facie basis to infer that certain members of the EMPD operated as a coordinated criminal enterprise". Professor Dirk Kotzé of Unisa’s Department of Political Sciences has agreed, stating that the allegations point to contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act. North West University political analyst Professor André Duvenhage has also weighed in, stating that the evidence suggests that the EMPD may have been "captured" by criminal elements.

Conclusion
The allegations against the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) are serious and numerous, and experts believe that they point to a deeper level of corruption within the municipality. The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an alleged organized-crime figure, the allegations of torture, murder, extortion, and hijackings, and the killing of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe have all contributed to a sense of crisis within the municipality. Experts believe that decisive investigations and punitive action are necessary to restore public confidence, and that the allegations against the EMPD must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies, and the importance of protecting whistleblowers who come forward to testify against corruption and organized crime.