Ekurhuleni metro chief not yet off the hook, says watchdog

THE City of Ekurhuleni's failure to implement disciplinary recommendations against its suspended Deputy Metro Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has put the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) in an "awkward position”. 

This is what Ipid's Acting National Head of Investigations, Thuso Keefelakae disclosed when he testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard on Wednesday, saying the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) lacked the "appetite" to implement Ipid’s disciplinary recommendations against Mkhwanazi. 

Mkhwanazi is accused of brokering deals involving vehicles donated by Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's VIP Security Services in 2023.

The vehicles were registered under the city's name and fitted with blue lights, with allegations pointing to fraud and corruption by Mkhwanazi during his tenure as a brigadier.

The blue light saga case, he said, was investigated in 2023 and concluded in the same year because external investigators were brought in to expedite it.

Keefelakae said he personally signed the recommendations, saying that Mkhwanazi must be charged because of the overwhelming evidence against him.

He testified that the matter was also referred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who identified additional aspects requiring exploration in the EMPD case, but the exercise was unrelated to the department's disciplinary process.

The DPP has not yet decided on the EMPD case, but one is anticipated soon, he said. 

The delay in the EMPD case was necessary to follow the DPP's guidance. "Had we not done so, we would have omitted very important information that is strengthening the criminal aspect," he said.

Keefelakae also expressed concern about Ekurhuleni's failure to implement disciplinary recommendations against Mkhwanazi, saying: "EMPD didn't have the appetite to implement those recommendations against Brigadier Mkhwanazi.”

He said it was disappointing that "a fake letter that was made by politicians to exonerate Mkhwanazi without him having been subjected to any disciplinary process", adding that the letter was never submitted to Ipid. 

He also testified that Mkhwanazi is still implicated in the investigation of Emmanuel Mbense's death. 

Mbense was taken from his home, and his body was found in a Vaal dam in April 2022.

"The police visited Mbense to inquire about a stolen truck alleged to have been involved in stolen goods. There were allegations that Mbense didn't provide the requested information, and as a result, he was assaulted by those officers who were attending."

He said Mbense's body was discovered by a fisherman, who alerted the police.

The docket was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution for a decision to prosecute. 

“The decision will be made before the end of this month," he said.

Cape Times