By Molefe Seeletsa.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted bail of R10 000 in the high-profile blue lights case.
Mkhwanazi returned to the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026, to hear the outcome of his bail application.
He argued his application on 28 August, and the court reserved its decision at the time.
EMPD’s Julius Mkhwanazi granted bail
Although Mkhwanazi has secured bail in the blue lights matter, he will not be released from custody.
This is because he is also facing a separate case linked to the murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
Judgment in that matter is due to be handed down on Tuesday, 15 September.
The blue lights matter has been postponed to 9 October, to give the defence time to review the docket.
Mkhwanazi is accused alongside tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and EMPD fleet manager Chris Steyn.
Matlala remains in custody, while Steyn is currently out on R10 000 bail.
Blue lights scandal
The latest charges stem from allegations that Mkhwanazi helped arrange the installation of blue lights on Matlala’s four luxury vehicles without the required authorisation.
The vehicles – a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen Golf – were allegedly registered under the City of Ekurhuleni by Steyn.
The allegations were previously raised during testimony before the Madlanga commission, where it was revealed that Mkhwanazi signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in October 2021.
The MOUs allegedly created an “endless working relationship” between the EMPD and two of Matlala’s companies, Cat VIP Protection Services and Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The state has since alleged that R70 000 was paid by three of Matlala’s companies into Mkhwanazi’s personal bank account.
The blue lights case is the fifth time Mkhwanazi has been taken into custody.