Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is facing serious allegations. Retired EMPD Deputy Chief Police Officer Revo Spies testified before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria that Mkhwanazi was called to assist in cleaning up a murder scene in Brakpan back in April 2022.
Spies claims that members of the EMPD, allegedly under Mkhwanazi's authority, were involved in the incident. He further testified that the victim's body was dumped in a dam in Nigel.
According to Spies' testimony, after the alleged murder, Mkhwanazi arrived at the scene in a white Golf and directed the clean-up operation. He instructed individuals to place the body onto a civilian's bakkie and instructed them to dispose of the body. This individual later became a state witness.
The Madlanga Commission also heard that the EMPD, under Mkhwanazi's watch, outsourced law enforcement duties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala's Cat Security Services. Spies testified that Matlala's company was granted significant policing powers through memorandums of understanding signed in 2021. This arrangement allegedly allowed Matlala's vehicles to be fitted with illegal blue lights and deployed in official police operations, which are typically reserved for SAPS vehicles.
Spies stated that he pushed for a disciplinary inquiry into the arrangement with Matlala's company, but it was allegedly blocked by city manager Imogen Mashazi. The agreements also involved Matlala's subsidiary, Medicare 24 Emergency Medical Services, and authorized the fitting of red lights usually reserved for medical vehicles.
Spies emphasized that crime should be reported to SAPS, not private security companies. He claimed that Mkhwanazi defended the deal internally, arguing that Matlala's company was assisting the EMPD and the Hawks with crime scene work and surveillance technology. The directorate has been implicated in interfering with the arrest of Matlala.
The commission has adjourned and Spies is expected to continue his testimony. The allegations against Mkhwanazi raise serious questions about the integrity and accountability within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.