By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Revo Spies, who worked as an EMPD official for 33 years, testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigating political interference, corruption and malfeasance in the criminal justice.
Spies got into more details of how Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala managed to infiltrate the Ekurhuleni Metro Police through deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
Several witnesses have testified how Mkhwanazi was untouchable due to political protection, despite facing serious charges of misconduct.
Mkhwanazi has been implicated in theft after CCTV footage captured him and metro officers at a workshop in Meyerton where they robbed copper cables, but the informant who exposed them was murdered.
The material was provided by the late Jaco Hanekom, an informant who had handed the evidence to Spies.
Spies confirmed that the officers seen in the footage, including Mkhwanazi, were arrested and later released on bail.
“The operation was not recorded in any EMPD files, and there was no lawful seizure of copper,” Spies testified.
“What happened there was theft pure and simple.”
The commission viewed the CCTV footage showing two unmarked EMPD vehicles and a civilian identified only as Etienne, seen working alongside the officers during the alleged raid.
Spies described the civilian’s involvement as “highly irregular and illegal,” emphasising that civilians have no authority to participate in police operations.
According to Spies, the same officers later returned to confiscate the hard drive containing footage.
However, unknown to them, the informant had already made a copy.
Spies said he subsequently handed the evidence to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.
He further clarified that EMPD has no legal power to inspect or seize copper or second-hand goods, responsibilities that fall under the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Spies added that EMPD Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye’s previous testimony that City Manager Mashazi warned them that if they continued to pursue disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, their names would be handed to hitmen.
The name “Mswazi”, believed to refer to slain Pretoria taxi boss and alleged hitman Jothan Msibi, was mentioned during these threats.
Spies has since been placed under State Security Agency protection after officials detected credible threats against his life.
The commission also heard evidence suggesting that corruption within the EMPD has become systemic, with some officers reportedly earning up to R200,000 a month in bribes.
Spies called for urgent lifestyle audits for all metro police officers, saying that unchecked graft, political protection, and collusion with organised crime have eroded public trust and turned parts of the EMPD into a criminal enterprise.