Metro cop deputy chief accused of fraud for Cat Matlala 'blue light' deal

EKURHULENI Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to his boss when he was asked to explain how and why he signed memorandums of understanding with companies linked to attempted murder-accused tenderpreneur, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

EMPD Chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye disclosed this when he appeared  before the Madlanga Commission yesterday. 

Mapiyeye told the commission that the internal investigation uncovered that Mkhwanazi had entered into two memorandums of understanding with Matlala’s companies, CAT VIP Security and Medicare24, without the knowledge of his boss.

He said that Mkhwanazi did not possess the authority to enter into agreements on behalf of the EMPD, as those powers rested with the police chief and the city manager, among others.

When asked to explain about the memos, Mkhwanazi had said: “We are also involved in crime-combating activities with CAT Security, together with other security services, that are committed to crime fighting around the city.

“CAT Security is assisting EMPD by providing additional technology, monitoring, and detection of movement of criminals, tracing suspects, and other resources used when chasing and arresting highly trained, skilled, repeat offenders that are not afraid to fight back.” 

However, Mapiyeye indicated that the EMPD does not have the legislative authority to trace criminals and investigate criminal cases, as these are bestowed upon the SAPS.

He said when metro police detain a suspect, they have to hand that individual over to the SAPS. They do not have legislative powers to investigate criminal cases.

Mkhwanazi also admitted that the metro police chief had neither signed nor approved the memorandums.

Mapiyeye said Mkhwanazi’s response was a result of a 2023 investigation, which was sparked by a media query on the use of blue light vehicles by civilian cars, with the seeming approval of EMPD. This was after Mkhwanazi had allegedly “fitted Matlala’s CAT VIP Security with blue lights”.

“I submit that these documents (two memos) are fraudulent. I say so for the following reasons. Both annexures are signed by Brigadier Mkhwanazi alone. One memo makes provision for my signature as chief of police, and was neither approved by me,” Mapiyeye said.

During 2020, the City of Ekurhuleni issued a public tender for the appointment of security services providers for all the city’s facilities. And on August 12, 2020, 10 security providers were awarded contracts to provide these services.

“CAT VIP Security was not a service provider to the city as of the date of the purported signature of the memorandum of agreement by Brigadier Mkhwanazi,” Mapiyeye said.

He maintained that Mkhwanazi usurped ‘my’ authority, running with the processing of promotions and recruitment of more than 50 senior officers without ‘my’ approval.

He added that Mkhwanazi had the backing of the then-city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi.

Cape Times