{"id":93060,"date":"2025-11-17T19:25:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T19:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/reinstating-kelebogile-thepa-to-restore-public-confidence"},"modified":"2025-11-17T19:25:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T19:25:54","slug":"reinstating-kelebogile-thepa-to-restore-public-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/reinstating-kelebogile-thepa-to-restore-public-confidence","title":{"rendered":"Reinstating Kelebogile Thepa to Restore Public Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. <\/strong><\/span>The City of Ekurhuleni said that a decision to reinstate Kelebogile Thepa as spokesperson for its metro police department was made to restore public confidence in the unit.<\/p>\n

Thepa was demoted over a year ago for mishandling media queries about corruption allegations against EMPD deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.<\/p>\n

This included his alleged links to suspected criminal, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.<\/p>\n

Thepa appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry last week and gave harrowing testimony about the extent of Mkhwanazi\u2019s questionable conduct.<\/p>\n

She also alleged she was assaulted at gunpoint and threatened to remain silent about the corrupt activity she uncovered.<\/p>\n

More than a year ago, EWN saw a confidential report by police watchdog IPID, which found that Mkhwanazi had unlawfully entered the city into an agreement with a company linked to Matlala.<\/p>\n

In the report, EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa was listed as one of the key witnesses whose testimony IPID relied on to establish the facts surrounding Mkhwanazi\u2019 alleged misconduct.<\/p>\n

But shortly before IPID released its final report, which recommended the city take disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, Thepa was demoted.<\/p>\n

Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said the city had now decided to reinstate her as the EMPD\u2019s spokesperson.<\/p>\n

City manager, Kagiso Lerutla, said the move was part of strengthening transparency, accountability and public confidence in the EMPD.<\/p>\n

“Professional, consistent and accountable communication is essential for any law enforcement agency operating in a constitutional democracy. The reinstatement of the EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit is a corrective governance measure that ensures our communications functions operate within an approved structure, with clear reporting lines and proper oversight.”<\/p>\n

The fraudulent agreement Mkhwanazi is accused of signing with Matlala allegedly resulted in blue lights and vehicles being improperly issued to Matlala\u2019s private security company.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About South-Africa<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. The City of Ekurhuleni said that a decision to reinstate Kelebogile Thepa as spokesperson for its metro police department was made to restore public confidence in the unit. Thepa was demoted over a year ago for mishandling media queries about corruption allegations against EMPD deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi. This included his alleged […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":93059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12],"tags":[275],"class_list":["post-93060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-south-africa-2"],"yoast_head":"\nReinstating Kelebogile Thepa to Restore Public Confidence - South Africa<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/reinstating-kelebogile-thepa-to-restore-public-confidence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reinstating Kelebogile Thepa to Restore Public Confidence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – South-Africa. The City of Ekurhuleni said that a decision to reinstate Kelebogile Thepa as spokesperson for its metro police department was made to restore public confidence in the unit. Thepa was demoted over a year ago for mishandling media queries about corruption allegations against EMPD deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi. 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