Dr Imogen Mashazi’s before-and-after photos spark heated bleaching accusations

Dr Imogen Mashazi trends over bleaching claim

Dr Imogen Mashazi had social media in a frenzy after her appearance before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, 1 December 2025 sparked fresh conversation about her noticeably lighter complexion.

The former Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager became the centre of online chatter when users shared old and recent images of her, accusing her of bleaching her skin.

X user @AM_Blujay posted the comparison photos that quickly went viral, captioning them, “Skin bleaching is a pandemic.”

His post opened the floodgates, with South Africans weighing in on Mashazi’s transformation and the pressures that come with chasing certain beauty standards.

Adding fuel to the fire, a video shared by businessman Tumi Sole showed Mashazi applying bold red lipstick while being questioned at the commission.

The clip spread rapidly as people reacted to her unexpected mid-testimony touch-up.

Podcaster Lebo Keswa also shared her thoughts, writing, “Imagine waking up every day to go to the office, and you have Dr Mashiza as your boss, my gosh #MadlangaCommission.”

Reactions poured in as users dissected Mashazi’s new look.

One person commented, “Not only bleaching, Turkey denture, wigs or hair implants, brow upliftments… This is only the face before BBLs, breast what what.”

Another wrote, “We need to free ourselves from colourism.”

Others felt she looked better before, with one user noting, “That time, she looked good in her natural skin tone,” while someone else added, “Crooks like hiding their true identity.”