Blue light saga: Julius Mkhwanazi served with 5th arrest warrant

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been served with his fifth warrant of arrest, in relation to the blue light saga.

JULIUS MKHWANAZI SERVED WITH 5TH ARREST WARRANT

Deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi was served with his 5th arrest warrant after leaving the dock during his bail hearing for the Emmanuel Mbense murder case at the Brakpan Magistrates Court. Mkhwanazi will appear at the Germiston Magistrates’ Court on Friday, facing charges of fraud and corruption.

Mbense was allegedly tortured to death in Brakpan before his body was dumped into a dam. The arrests follow allegations that were heard at the Madlanga Commission, which linked police and private security personnel to his death.

As per a media statement, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested two of the three suspects implicated in case known as the “blue lights saga” on Thursday 27 August.

“The two suspects, an EMPD official and a private citizen face charges of fraud and corruption . They will make their first appearance on this matter at the Germiston Magistrate Court tomorrow, 28 August 2026. The third suspect, who is an EMPD official, will be arrested later tonight,” read the statement.

“More information on this matter will be ventilated in court,” read the statement.

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Mkhwanazi is alleged to have unlawfully approved the fitting of blue lights to four private luxury vehicles that were linked to Matlala’s security company called Cat Protection Services. This included blue lights fitted to two BMWs, a Mercedes-Benz and a Volkswagen belonging to Cat Matlala just as court concluded for the day.

The vehicles were allegedly irregularly registered as City of Ekurhuleni assets and fitted with blue emergency lights. The arrangement between Mkhwanazi and Matlala has been under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.