News24 | Julius Mkhwanazi denied bail in Mbense murder, cover-up case

Julius Mkhwanazi has been denied bail in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.

Gallo Images/OJ Koloti

• Julius Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused are charged with the murder of Emmanuel Mbense and a plot to cover it up.
• They had all applied for bail.
• The court found there were no exceptional circumstances warranting their release.

Julius Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused have been denied bail in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.

The accused face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. This is in connection with the killing of businessman Emmanuel Mbense and an alleged plot to cover it up.

The court on Tuesday found that none of the accused had presented exceptional circumstances that warranted their release on bail.

Evidence before the Madlanga Commission has placed Mkhwanazi at the centre of the alleged cover-up. Marius van der Merwe, identified as Witness D, testified that Mkhwanazi was implicated in a plot to dispose of Mbense’s body after the businessman was allegedly tortured to death by police and EMPD officers in April 2022.

Van der Merwe told the commission that a plastic bag was repeatedly held over Mbense’s face until he could not breathe. He added that Mbense had admitted involvement in the robbery of a warehouse and had apparently tried to bribe the officers with R500 000 in cash.

After Mbense died, Mkhwanazi was called by police informer Jaco Hanekom. Van der Merwe testified that Mkhwanazi arrived at the scene, where they discussed how the body would be disposed of, and that he remained in the yard as the body was loaded onto the back of a bakkie.

Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi’s version differs. He said he received a call from Hanekom between 02:00 and 03:00 informing him that stolen goods had been recovered. According to Mkhwanazi, he spoke to Hanekom at the property’s gate and left shortly afterwards.

All six will remain in custody pending further court proceedings.