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The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, has been placed on precautionary suspension pending a disciplinary process.
According to the municipality, the suspension follows an internal audit and does not imply any finding of guilt. Formal disciplinary proceedings are expected to follow.
The decision comes in the wake of serious allegations linking Mkhwanazi to alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, which surfaced during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
City Manager Kagiso Lerutla described the revelations made at the commission as “shocking and deeply concerning.”
“We are unequivocally committed to clean governance, accountability, and restoring public trust in our municipality,” Lerutla said.
He confirmed that the City has also initiated an independent internal investigation into new allegations within the metro police, separate from the audit that led to Mkhwanazi’s suspension.
“In line with municipal legislation and our clean governance mandate, we are launching an immediate and independent internal investigation into new allegations of wrongdoing within the EMPD. We will act decisively on its findings, without fear or favour,” Lerutla added.
The municipality said it would fully cooperate with the commission and expand its internal probe should new evidence emerge.
Meanwhile, during Tuesday’s commission proceedings, retired EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies testified that a 2022 criminal record verification process had exposed widespread criminality within the metro police ranks — but the process was abruptly halted by city officials.
Spies revealed that Mkhwanazi and his team refused to undergo annual vetting after 275 EMPD officers were found to have criminal records, while another 100 were awaiting trial.
The reported offences included assault, theft, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence, with 15 officers facing murder charges.
On Monday, Spies further alleged that Mkhwanazi had altered official documents to conceal private deals with Matlala’s companies — Cat VIP Security and Medi-care 24 — under the guise of public–private cooperation.
According to Spies, the forged plans and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) effectively granted Matlala’s firms policing powers, raising serious concerns about corruption and abuse of authority within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
