On November 17, 2025, the City of Ekurhuleni quietly reversed a year-long injustice when it reinstated its Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Media and Public Relations Unit—and brought back Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa as its head. The move wasn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping. It was a public acknowledgment that silence had been weaponized, and truth had been punished.
What Led to the Demotion?
In late 2024, Thepa was stripped of her leadership role after she handled media inquiries about a scandal involving suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi. She didn’t make the story up. She simply told the press what she knew: that Mkhwanazi had signed an unauthorized deal with CAT VIP Protection, a private security firm linked to suspected criminal Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The deal? Unauthorized blue lights and emergency vehicles handed out like party favors to a private company. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) later confirmed it. Their confidential report, finalized in late 2024, cited Thepa as a key witness. She had documented the irregularities. She’d flagged the abuse. And instead of being praised, she was demoted. The message? Don’t rock the boat.The Madlanga Commission Breaks the Silence
Then came the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which opened hearings the week of November 10–14, 2025, to investigate corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. On November 14, Thepa took the stand. And what she said sent shockwaves through the courtroom. She described being threatened at gunpoint, she said, to stay quiet. She recounted how her attempts to explain the blue-light scandal to journalists were met with hostility from senior city officials. "I was told my job was to control the narrative, not tell the truth," she testified. "When I did the latter, I was punished." Her testimony wasn’t isolated. Other witnesses corroborated Mkhwanazi’s actions: the unauthorized contract, the misuse of municipal resources, the deliberate circumvention of procurement rules. The Commission heard how Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection, operated like a shadow police unit—complete with sirens and flashing lights—while legitimate emergency services struggled for funding.Why the Reinstatement Now?
City Manager Kagiso Lerutla didn’t wait for public outrage to mount. On November 17, he announced the reversal. "Professional, consistent and accountable communication is essential for any law enforcement agency operating in a constitutional democracy," he said. "The reinstatement of the EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit is a corrective governance measure." It’s not just about optics. It’s about survival. The City of Ekurhuleni’s Renewal Programme—a multi-year initiative to root out corruption and restore institutional integrity—was crumbling under the weight of credibility loss. Thepa’s demotion had become a symbol of systemic rot. Her return? A signal that the city still believes in accountability. The unit, now fully reinstated, will resume operations once the Department of Community Safety finalizes its implementation plan. That plan includes staffing protocols, crisis communication drills, and direct reporting lines to the EMPD commander—not to political advisors.What’s at Stake?
This isn’t just about one spokesperson. It’s about whether a public institution can survive when its truth-tellers are silenced. The EMPD serves over five million people in Gauteng’s most populous metro. Public trust isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of community safety. When citizens can’t trust that police are transparent about misconduct, they stop cooperating. They stop reporting crimes. They stop believing the system works. Thepa’s reinstatement is a rare win in a system where whistleblowers usually get buried.What Happens Next?
The Madlanga Commission is still hearing evidence. Mkhwanazi remains suspended, and his case is now in the hands of the National Prosecuting Authority. But the pressure is mounting. Thepa’s testimony has already triggered calls for broader audits of EMPD’s vehicle allocation, procurement practices, and media handling policies. The City of Ekurhuleni has promised to publish the full implementation plan for the revived PR unit by December 15, 2025. Civil society groups are demanding an independent monitor be appointed to oversee the unit’s operations. And Thepa? She hasn’t said whether she’ll return to her old role—or if she’ll demand more. "I didn’t speak up to get my job back," she told reporters after the hearing. "I spoke up because someone had to."Background: The Blue-Light Scandal
The controversy began in early 2024 when local media reported that private security firms in Ekurhuleni were using police-grade blue lights—illegal under South African law unless explicitly authorized. An investigation traced the source to Mkhwanazi, who allegedly signed a secret memorandum of understanding with CAT VIP Protection. The agreement bypassed municipal tender processes and allowed Matlala’s company to deploy up to 15 unmarked vehicles with emergency lighting. IPID’s report concluded the arrangement violated the Municipal Systems Act and the South African Police Service Act. Yet, while Mkhwanazi was suspended, Thepa—who had documented the deal—was demoted. That disconnect fueled public suspicion: was the city protecting its own?Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lieutenant Colonel Thepa demoted in the first place?
She was demoted in late 2024 after publicly addressing media inquiries about corruption involving EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his unauthorized agreement with CAT VIP Protection. While IPID’s investigation confirmed her claims, city leadership retaliated by removing her from leadership—suggesting transparency was seen as a threat rather than a duty.
What impact does this reinstatement have on public trust?
It’s a critical step. For over a year, the public saw whistleblowers punished and corruption covered up. Restoring Thepa signals that the City of Ekurhuleni is willing to correct its own failures. But trust won’t be rebuilt until Mkhwanazi faces charges and the PR unit operates independently—without political interference.
What role did the Madlanga Commission play in this decision?
The Commission’s hearings, particularly Thepa’s emotional testimony on November 14, 2025, exposed the depth of retaliation within the city’s leadership. Her account of being threatened at gunpoint to stay silent made international headlines and forced the City’s hand. Without this public exposure, the reinstatement likely wouldn’t have happened.
Who is Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, and why does he matter?
Matlala is a suspected criminal linked to organized crime networks in Gauteng. His company, CAT VIP Protection, was granted unauthorized access to police-grade emergency equipment through Mkhwanazi’s secret deal. This allowed his private firm to operate like a de facto police unit, raising serious concerns about privatization of law enforcement and the erosion of public safety standards.
Is this the end of the corruption probe?
Absolutely not. The Madlanga Commission is still active, and IPID’s findings have been handed to the National Prosecuting Authority. Mkhwanazi’s case is under review, and audits of EMPD’s procurement and vehicle allocation systems are expected to expand. Thepa’s return is a beginning—not a conclusion.
What will the revived EMPD Media Unit actually do?
The unit will handle all media inquiries, issue official updates on police operations, support community safety campaigns, and lead crisis communications during emergencies. Crucially, it will report directly to the EMPD command structure—not political offices—to ensure independence and prevent future interference.
Unnati Chaudhary
November 18, 2025 AT 01:17It’s not just about blue lights. It’s about who gets to speak when the lights go out.
Divya Johari
November 18, 2025 AT 17:20Aniket sharma
November 19, 2025 AT 23:09Sreeanta Chakraborty
November 21, 2025 AT 03:25Vijendra Tripathi
November 22, 2025 AT 11:38ankit singh
November 22, 2025 AT 15:45Pratiksha Das
November 24, 2025 AT 03:34ajay vishwakarma
November 24, 2025 AT 04:28devika daftardar
November 25, 2025 AT 06:22she didn’t want to be a symbol
she just wanted to do her job
now the whole city has to decide what kind of place they want to live in
will they choose fear or courage?
fatima almarri
November 26, 2025 AT 20:38deepika singh
November 28, 2025 AT 02:25Amar Yasser
November 29, 2025 AT 11:05Steven Gill
December 1, 2025 AT 02:13Saurabh Shrivastav
December 1, 2025 AT 19:00Prince Chukwu
December 2, 2025 AT 23:26amar nath
December 3, 2025 AT 17:53Pragya Jain
December 4, 2025 AT 23:42Shruthi S
December 6, 2025 AT 11:30Neha Jayaraj Jayaraj
December 8, 2025 AT 04:04