City of Ekurhuleni suspends Julius Mkhwanazi, Metro Police deputy chief, who has alleged links to ‘Cat’ Matlala
Ekurhuleni metro police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been suspended.
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The City of Ekurhuleni on Tuesday confirmed that Ekurhuleni Metro Police department (EMPD) deputy chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, has been placed on precautionary suspension to allow a disciplinary process to take place.
The municipality said the suspension came after an internal audit and it did not amount to a finding of guilt, and formal disciplinary proceedings will follow.
The decision comes amid serious allegations regarding Mkhwanazi's relationship with alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala which emerged at the Madlanga Commission into alleged corruption and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
City Manager Kagiso Lerutla described the testimony as “shocking and deeply concerning”.
“We are unequivocally committed to clean governance, accountability, and restoring public trust in our Municipality,” Lerutla said.
Lerutla confirmed that the city has launched an independent internal investigation into fresh allegations within the metro police separate from the audit that led to Mkhwanazi’s suspension.
“In line with municipal legislation and our clean governance mandate,” Lerutla continued, “we are launching an immediate and independent internal investigation into new allegations of wrongdoing within the EMPD. We will act decisively on its findings, without fear or favour.”
The city said it would remain in full cooperation with the commission and will expand its probe if new evidence surfaces.
Meanwhile at the commission on Tuesday, retired EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies, testified that a criminal record verification process launched in 2022 uncovered widespread criminality within the metro police ranks, only to be suddenly stopped by city officials.
He also said Mkhwanazi and his team of officers refused to undergo the annual vetting process, after 275 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers were found to have criminal records in 2022, while 100 others were awaiting trial.
The crimes included assault, theft, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence, while 15 officers were facing murder charges.
On Monday, Spies testified that Mkhwanazi altered official documents to disguise private deals with alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s companies, Cat VIP Security and Medi-care 24, under the guise of public–private cooperation.
Spies said the forged plans and accompanying memorandums of under-standing (MOUs) effectively allowed Matlala’s firms to assume policing powers