JUST IN: Ekurhuleni fires suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi

The City of Ekurhuleni has fired suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi following a lengthy disciplinary process.

The city suspended Mkhwanazi on 11 November 2025 while it investigated allegations of misconduct and pursued disciplinary action against him.

His dismissal comes as he faces several criminal cases and remains behind bars after the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court denied him bail this week in the murder case of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.

Mkhwanazi and five co-accused face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.

They have denied involvement in Mbense’s murder.

CITY FIRES MKHWANAZI AFTER DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

The City of Ekurhuleni suspended Mkhwanazi in November last year after an internal audit investigation raised allegations of misconduct.

The municipality initially stressed that the suspension served as an administrative measure and did not amount to a finding of guilt.

Mkhwanazi later approached the Labour Court in an attempt to stop the disciplinary process.

However, the Johannesburg Labour Court dismissed his urgent application in March, clearing the way for the city to continue with the proceedings.

The disciplinary case also included allegations linked to the blue lights fitted to vehicles associated with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Earlier this month, the city added another charge against Mkhwanazi over allegations that he unlawfully authorised the installation of blue emergency lights on private vehicles linked to Matlala.

Mkhwanazi has denied wrongdoing over the blue-light allegations.

MKHWANAZI REMAINS BEHIND BARS

Mkhwanazi’s dismissal follows several court appearances this week.

The Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted him R10 000 bail on Monday, 14 September, in the separate blue-lights corruption case.

He could not leave custody because he still faced a bail decision in the Mbense murder case.

The Brakpan Magistrate’s Court later denied bail to Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused.

The court postponed the murder case to 24 November 2026 for further investigation.

Mkhwanazi also appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 18 September, alongside Kgomotso Makhubo, Adrian Norman Mackenzie and Keisha-Leigh Stols in another case involving precious stones allegedly worth more than R14 million.

The State alleges that the accused took the precious stones during a bogus law-enforcement operation at a Killarney property in 2023.

Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations.

Despite the dismissal with the EMPD, the criminal cases against him continue in court.