26 Sep 2025
- 16 Comments
Background and the rise of Julius Mkhwanazi
Julius Mkhwanazi has been a fixture in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) for years, climbing the ranks from junior officer to Deputy Chief of Police. His name first surfaced in the media in 2022 when, as acting chief, he allegedly handed out blue‑light equipment to personal friends. That early controversy set off a chain of investigations that have yet to be resolved.
In early 2023, EMPD records show four police vehicles were registered under the city's name, only to be transferred a few months later to CAT VIP Protection—a private security outfit owned by businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala. No memorandum of understanding existed between the municipality and the private firm, raising red flags about the legitimacy of the transfer.
IPID findings and city response
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), led by Deputy Municipal Police Commissioner Revo Spies, compiled a detailed report that accuses Mkhwanazi of abusing state resources. Acting National Head of Investigations Thuso Keefelakae signed off on the document, which outlines how the four vehicles were first listed as municipal assets before being re‑registered under CAT VIP ownership by March 2023. The report also highlights alleged collusion between Mkhwanazi and Matlala, suggesting the vehicles were fitted with blue lights to appear as official police units.
Even though the IPID report recommended disciplinary action more than a year ago, the City of Ekurhuleni has taken no visible steps to punish the deputy chief. Instead, when Chief Isaac Mapiyeye was suspended over multiple sexual‑harassment complaints, Mkhwanazi was promoted to Acting Chief of Police. The move sparked outrage among opposition parties and civil‑society groups.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been vocal, accusing the EMPD of operating like a "mafia‑style" outfit. According to DA statements, Mkhwanazi has placed officers with criminal records into senior roles and approved promotions for candidates who failed to meet basic qualifications. The party also pointed out that the city spent over R600,000 on an external investigation firm, yet the case was abruptly withdrawn shortly after senior official Xolani Nciza resigned.
Adding another layer, testimony at the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry revealed that Mkhwanazi allegedly helped Matlala register private vehicles under the municipality's name, making them look like funded municipal assets. Those vehicles, now sporting blue lights, create a false impression of official police endorsement.
In June 2024, a forensic report titled “Forensic Investigation Report Into Allegations of Defamatory Statements Made Against the City…” defended Mkhwanazi, claiming that the media leak of the allegations was itself a breach of the Protection of Personal Information Act. The report suggests he should lodge complaints against senior metro police officials for the leak.
Despite the swirling accusations, Mkhwanazi continues to serve as Acting Chief, while an external firm reviews the sexual‑misconduct charges against the suspended chief. Findings from that investigation are expected before the end of November, and the DA has urged the council to table the IPID report and push the National Prosecuting Authority to place the case on the court roll.
The situation underscores a broader crisis of trust in the Ekurhuleni police. Residents are left questioning whether the force can ever be transparent and accountable when senior leaders appear insulated from serious misconduct allegations.
Ira Indeikina
September 26, 2025Enough of the political theater – the deputy chief is exploiting public resources for personal gain. The pattern of vehicle transfers and unchecked promotions shows a system that rewards corruption. Citizens deserve transparency, not a circus of cover‑ups. When officials hide behind bureaucratic jargon, trust erodes. It's high time the city council forces an independent audit and holds the perpetrators accountable.
Shashikiran R
September 27, 2025The moral decay is obvious and i cant believe the city is letting this continue. If you have any sense of right you would demand immediate suspension. This is not just a minor slip up its a blatant misuse of power. The people are being duped and the officials are complicit.
SURAJ ASHISH
September 28, 2025Another day, another scandal and still no real action taken it’s infuriating the report was out ages ago still nothing changed
PARVINDER DHILLON
September 29, 2025🤝 I hear the frustration and I get why people feel helpless, but throwing more blame around won’t fix the broken system. The key is to push for a truly independent investigation that can’t be swayed by internal politics. We need clear deadlines, public updates, and a guarantee that any findings lead to concrete consequences. Only then can we start rebuilding trust. 🌍
Nilanjan Banerjee
September 30, 2025The unfolding saga of Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi reads like a tragic opera, each act more melodramatic than the last. First, he rose through the ranks with the poise of a seasoned commander, only to reveal an unsettling penchant for nepotistic favors. The blue‑light equipment bestowed upon friends in 2022 set the first ominous chord in this composition of corruption. As the plot thickened, four municipal vehicles were clandestinely re‑registered under the private shield of CAT VIP Protection, a maneuver that smacks of imperialist ambitions masquerading as public service. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate's meticulous report, signed by high‑ranking officials, paints a vivid tableau of state resources being weaponized for personal enrichment. Yet, the City of Ekurhuleni, rather than delivering justice, seemed to turn a blind eye, allowing Mkhwanazi to ascend to Acting Chief amidst a maelstrom of sexual‑harassment allegations against his predecessor. This brazen promotion is a dissonant note that reverberates through the corridors of municipal power, sending a chilling message to whistleblowers and the citizenry alike. The Democratic Alliance's denunciation of the EMPD as a "mafia‑style" outfit is more than rhetoric; it is an alarm bell echoing across the nation. Their accusations that Mkhwanazi installed officers with criminal records into senior positions reveal a grotesque inversion of meritocracy. Moreover, the hush‑money hush of a R600,000 external investigation, abruptly withdrawn after senior official Xolani Nciza's resignation, underscores a pattern of financial subterfuge. Testimonies before the Madlanga Judicial Commission further expose the web of deceit, illustrating how privately owned vehicles masquerade as municipal assets, their blue lights flashing false legitimacy. The forensic report of June 2024, ostensibly defending Mkhwanazi, flips the script by accusing the media of infringing privacy laws-a diversionary tactic that seeks to silence scrutiny. While an external firm wrestles with the sexual‑misconduct charges against the suspended chief, the clock ticks toward a November deadline that may dictate the fate of these inquiries. The DA's impassioned pleas to table the IPID report and mobilize the National Prosecuting Authority are a clarion call for accountability. In the grander scheme, this saga epitomizes a crisis of trust-not merely in the Ekurhuleni police but in the very foundations of democratic oversight. Residents, left to wonder whether any semblance of transparency can ever emerge, confront the stark reality that unchecked power breeds contempt and erodes the social contract. The only salvation lies in relentless public pressure, unwavering legal action, and an uncompromising demand for institutional reform. Only then can the shadows that currently cloak the police force be illuminated, restoring the fragile hope that justice might yet prevail.
sri surahno
October 1, 2025It's clear that shadowy networks are pulling the strings behind the façade of official police work. The alignment between Mkhwanazi and private security magnates suggests a coordinated effort to divert state assets for clandestine operations. Such collusion cannot be dismissed as mere administrative error; it is indicative of a deeper, systemic manipulation aimed at consolidating power away from public oversight.
Varun Kumar
October 2, 2025Corruption is rampant. Mkhwanazi exploits. The system is broken.
Madhu Murthi
October 3, 2025🚨 This is exactly why we need to keep an eye on every move these officials make. The privatization of police assets under a guise of security is a dangerous precedent. If we let this slide, next they'll be handing out police powers to anyone with a pocket.
Amrinder Kahlon
October 4, 2025Sounds like a sitcom.
Abhay patil
October 5, 2025We all feel the frustration and it’s understandable. Let’s channel it into actionable steps, like demanding a public hearing and supporting watchdog groups. Positive change starts when we unite around clear goals.
Amber Brewer
October 6, 2025If you’re looking for concrete steps, start by filing a formal request for the IPID report under the Promotion of Access to Information Act. It’s a practical way to bring the document into the public domain and force accountability.
Kim Coulter
October 7, 2025When you strip away the political rhetoric, the core issue is a betrayal of public trust. Transparent investigations are not optional; they are a constitutional imperative. Let’s demand that the National Prosecuting Authority take immediate action.
Michelle Toale-Burke
October 8, 2025It feels like the system is rigged, and every time we hope for change, we’re met with another layer of deception. The constant back‑and‑forth is exhausting, and it leaves many feeling powerless.
Amy Paradise
October 9, 2025Hey folks! Just wanted to say that staying informed and sharing reliable sources is key. If we keep the conversation factual and respectful, we can make a real impact together! 🙌
Janette Cybulski
October 10, 2025I know it’s tough, but don’t lose hope. Small wins, like getting a transparent report out, can build momentum. Keep supporting each other and stay engaged – the community’s voice is powerful.
Mildred Alonzo
October 11, 2025Curious about the legal avenues: can citizens initiate a private prosecution if the NPA stalls? The law does allow it, though the process is complex and costly. It might be worth exploring as a last resort.