Suspended EMPD Deputy Commissioner Denies Wrongdoing in Vehicle Donation Saga
Johannesburg – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has vehemently denied allegations of wrongdoing amid an ongoing investigation into the facilitation of vehicle donations to the municipality from companies linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Mkhwanazi stands accused of orchestrating the registration of private vehicles under the municipality's name and having them fitted with blue lights, raising serious questions about transparency and due process. Further accusations include entering into two memoranda of understanding for the city with Medicare 24 and CAT VIP Security, companies tied to Matlala, allegedly without the necessary consent from the council and city manager.
Yesterday, Mkhwanazi addressed the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, asserting that the city’s senior management team, including suspended chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye and various heads of departments, were fully aware of Matlala's intended donations to the municipality. He testified that his relationship with Matlala commenced in 2022, following an introduction to Mike van Wyk, a Medicare24 director, by members of the EMPD community liaison unit. Mkhwanazi stated that Matlala was also a director at the company, and this introduction led to their association.
According to Mkhwanazi, 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 subsequently delivered a presentation to the city's senior management team and 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.
Early in 2022, Mkhwanazi met representatives from CAT VIP Security, introduced by EMPD’s intervention unit, ahead of the state of the city address. Mkhwanazi stated that a meeting was arranged with Matlala, who agreed to provide VIP protection services for the state of the city address. Asked if protection services were paid for, he said: “It was at no cost to the city and he didn’t charge anything. I think, for him, it was part of his marketing to the city.”
Mkhwanazi mentioned that CAT VIP Security later wanted to upgrade their vehicles, and he discussed the EMPD’s vehicle shortage with Matlala, implying a possible donation of vehicles. He approached his deputy chief of police Goodman Mzolo at the time, who referred him to a fleet corporate proxy managed by Chris Steyn.
Steyn told him to have a letter of intention to donate cars from Matlala, who furnished him with one. He said a former EMPD divisional commissioner Revo Spies was not happy with the donations while chief Mapiyeye said “we need cars”.
Mkhwanazi stated that the vehicle registration process had just begun, and he was finalising the necessary steps so the vehicles could go through council and internal processes.
He addressed the social media controversy surrounding vehicle donations with blue lights under the municipality’s name.
He claimed Steyn withdrew from registering the vehicles due to disputes over vehicle registration. Steyn allegedly told Mkhwanazi to “Call that guy (Matlala) and (tell him) we are not doing it. There are disks here but we need to deregister them”.
“I didn’t install blue lights. I didn’t brand the cars. The cars – I didn’t see them physically. They didn’t come to the city of Ekurhuleni,” Mkhwanazi asserted, distancing himself from the alleged irregularities.
Mkhwanazi also testified about his interaction with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), which occurred a day after he resumed work following a previous three-month suspension related to the blue-light saga. He was subsequently suspended again on November 11, following what has been described as damning testimony presented at the commission probing allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. Nciza stated that the vehicles were registered under the municipality and fitted with blue lights, but lacked proper council approval to legitimise their existence.
According to Mkhwanazi, Ipid sought to investigate allegations that he facilitated the installation of blue lights on private vehicles.
Furthermore, he addressed a second allegation concerning an instruction he allegedly issued to dump a corpse in Brakpan. Witness D testified before the commission that Mkhwanazi instructed him to dispose of a suspect’s body, allegedly killed by EMPD officers, in an attempt to cover up the murder.
The witness claimed Mkhwanazi ordered the body to be disposed of in a mine shaft or dam, using his bakkie to avoid suspicion. Mkhwanazi said: “I said (to Ipid) I could answer but the dumping of the body I didn’t know. I wrote and responded to all of the allegations.”
Mkhwanazi's testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is still underway, and the proceedings promise to shed further light on the complex web of allegations surrounding the EMPD and its dealings with private entities. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the individuals involved and the integrity of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
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