Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi faced tough questions at the Madlanga commission this week.
The inquiry is investigating corruption in the criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi is implicated in several controversies, including the so-called “blue light” saga.
Mkhwanazi told the commission he did not install blue lights on private cars. He also said he never physically saw the vehicles in question, and denied branding them or registering them as municipal assets.
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His testimony centred on his relationship with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the owner of Cat VIP Protection Services. Mkhwanazi admitted to introducing Matlala to city officials. He also confirmed Cat VIP was part of the security plan for the 2022 State of the City Address (SOCA).
He claimed the city needed extra security support due to an ageing and unreliable EMPD vehicle fleet. Mkhwanazi said Matlala offered his company’s services for free. He believed it was a “marketing strategy” for Cat VIP. The suspended cop insisted this arrangement came at no cost to the City of Ekurhuleni.
Previous witnesses accused Mkhwanazi of signing unlawful memoranda of understanding (MOUs). One MOU allegedly granted Cat VIP an “endless working relationship” with the EMPD. Mkhwanazi admitted he did not have the authority to sign such agreements.
He conceded that he acted incorrectly. However, he also disputed some evidence and accused former EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies of lying to the commission.
Mkhwanazi also faces allegations related to a copper theft incident in Meyerton, an area outside the EMPD’s jurisdiction. He admitted to visiting the scene but said he was only there for a few minutes.
Image: Suspended EMPD chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, testified at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday on criminal allegations against him. Credit: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers.
