Julius Mkhwanazi granted R10k bail in blue lights case

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted R10,000 bail in the blue lights case, but will remain in custody, as he faces a separate criminal case.

The separate case relates to the murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense.

Mkhwanazi appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

BLUE LIGHTS CASE

Mkhwanazi is accused of helping arrange for blue lights to be installed on four vehicles linked to alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

It is alleged that a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen Golf, were improperly registered as City of Ekurhuleni municipal vehicles and fitted with blue lights without the required authorisation.

Mkhwanazi, EMPD fleet manager Chris Steyn and Matlala face six counts of corruption, one count of fraud and one count of defeating the administration of justice.

The matter has been postponed to 9 October to allow the defence team more time to review the docket.

The blue lights case marks the fifth time Mkhwanazi has been arrested.

EMMANUEL MBENSE’S MURDER CASE

Mkhwanazi and his co-accused were also arrested in connection with the murder of Mbense last month. 

Mbense was killed after he was allegedly robbed in 2022. He was allegedly tortured and murdered after being falsely linked to a crime.

It is alleged that Mbense was attacked by EMPD, the South African Police Service (Saps) and private security officers at his home in Brakpan.

Mbense’s body was dumped at a dam in Duduza.

The accused are facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court is expected to hand down its judgment on the bail application on Tuesday, 15 September.