By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) head Julius Mkhwanazi has denied that he fitted blue lights on Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s private vehicles.
Mkhwanazi has been testifying at the Madlanga Commission, which is probing allegations of infiltration in the criminal justice system.
He is accused of evading disciplinary action and being shielded by the former City Manager, Imogen Mashazi, despite several criminal probes and findings against him.
Mkhwanazi was suspended last month after multiple witnesses implicated him during the commission’s hearings.
He told the commission that the city’s senior management team, which included suspended chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye and heads of departments, were aware of the donations Matlala intended to make to the municipality.
He testified that his relationship with Matlala began in 2022, when he was introduced to Mike van Wyk, a Medicare24 director, by EMPD community liaison unit members.
He stated that Matlala was also a director at the company, and this introduction led to their association.
Mkhwanazi stated that Van Wyk approached him with a proposal to assist EMPD members injured on duty, particularly those without medical aid, as part of a strategic partnership.
Van Wyk also made a presentation to the city senior management team and subsequently briefed Mkhwanazi on the meeting’s outcome.
Mkhwanazi said a proposal was made to formalise the presentation, leading to a draft memorandum of understanding between Medicare24 and Ekurhuleni, outlining the terms of their partnership.
Mkhwanazi also explained that he was contacted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) a day after returning to work on 24 May 2023.
He told the commission he was summoned to Ipid’s Johannesburg offices, where investigators questioned him about three matters: the blue lights scandal, the Brakpan murder, and the copper theft incident.
Mkhwanazi said, he had responded formally to all the accusations during his engagements with Ipid.
“All these allegations, I submitted statements,” he said.
Mkhwanazi also addressed questions surrounding his December 2023 appointment as deputy chief.
Allegations were made that the appointment was irregular because he allegedly failed to complete a competency assessment.
It was also claimed that his appointment included an additional R200 000 added to his salary.
Mkhwanazi rejected these claims.
He insisted that he had passed the competency test and received formal confirmation of the results.
Further allegations against Mkhwanazi include making 55 irregular promotional hires within the EMPD in a short period, as claimed by his boss, Mapiyeye. These hires bypassed standard procedures, raising concerns of nepotism or favouritism.