The disciplinary process instituted against the Chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police, Isaac Mapiyeye, saw the Metro shelling out more than R4,6 million – only for him to be found not guilty on all charges after nearly 22 months.
This is a costly lesson for taxpayers and reinforces the impression that it was merely a witch-hunt against a senior official. Moreover, that money should rather have been used for service delivery, infrastructure and public safety.
Mapiyeye was placed on precautionary suspension in September 2024 following allegations of sexual harassment and the abuse of managerial authority. The presiding officer has since found him not guilty on all charges.
On several occasions, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) warned the Metro Council that the entire matter increasingly resembled a witch-hunt against an official who could not be manipulated.
The eventual outcome raises serious questions about the handling of the process, its duration and the enormous cost that residents had to bear.
Serious allegations must always be thoroughly investigated and victims must be protected. Likewise, every person has the right to a fair, independent and expedient process. When disciplinary proceedings drag on for years and cost millions, taxpayers are the ones who ultimately pay the price.
This case highlights the need for the Metro to conduct disciplinary processes professionally, without political interference and within reasonable timeframes.
Trust is not built through expensive and lengthy internal battles, but through fair, transparent and efficient governance.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep advocating for sound governance, accountability and the responsible spending of public funds.
Taxpayers deserve better than having millions squandered on drawn-out internal conflicts while service delivery deteriorates.
