Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi served with another arrest warrant
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been served with a new arrest warrant while appearing in court for a separate murder cover-up case. He faces additional charges of fraud and corruption related to the illegal fitting of blue lights on private security vehicles.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing issues of corruption and criminal involvement within South African municipal law enforcement agencies.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi was served with another arrest warrant on Thursday while appearing in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court for a separate criminal case.
On Thursday, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said it had arrested two of the three suspects implicated in the case known as the “blue lights saga”.
In February 2023, News24 exposed how Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s security company cars were illegally fitted with blue lights – following interventions by Mkhwanazi.
“The two suspects, an EMPD official and a private citizen, face charges of fraud and corruption,” said IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping.
A source close to the investigation added that the EMPD official in question was Mkhwanazi, and the private citizen was Matlala.
Suping said a third suspect, who is also an EMPD official, would be arrested later on Thursday evening.
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