Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has denied allegations that he masterminded the theft of gemstones worth R14 million. He appeared before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday to give his version of events after a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Service (JMPD) inspector, known as Witness K, testified the previous day.
Mkhwanazi rejected claims that he planned the operation, attended a meeting to arrange the theft, or received any money from it. He maintained that the matter involved a legitimate joint police operation, though he provided no evidence to support this during his testimony.
Mkhwanazi Rejects Claims of Orchestrating the Theft
Mkhwanazi told the commission that he only arrived at the scene after the operation had already taken place. According to him, EMPD officers Aiden McKenzie and Kirsha Lee Stols explained that the evidence had been submitted to police. He described the entire matter as a joint operation involving the JMPD, EMPD and the Gauteng Traffic Department.
Witness K had testified that she provided information about the location of the gemstones — referred to in proceedings as “the bricks” — and that Mkhwanazi planned the operation under the guise of a legitimate police action. She said Mkhwanazi introduced her to McKenzie, Stols and Etienne van der Walt, the owner of a security company, during a meeting on 11 February.
Mkhwanazi denied that any such meeting to plan a theft took place. He also denied receiving payment linked to the gemstones.
Witness K Describes Payout and Feeling Betrayed
According to Witness K’s testimony, the group received R110 000 for the gemstones. She kept R22 000 and handed R88 000 to Mkhwanazi on 12 February 2023, which he allegedly divided among himself, Stols, McKenzie and van der Walt.
She told the commission she felt betrayed when she later learned the owner of the gemstones had reported them missing and valued at R14 million. Mkhwanazi denies receiving any cash from Witness K.
Stols previously mentioned in a statement to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) that she received information about the stones from Witness K.
Khumalo Accuses Mkhwanazi of Dishonesty Over Witness K
The most pointed exchange came when evidence leader Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC questioned Mkhwanazi about his knowledge of Witness K. In April, Mkhwanazi had denied knowing her. On Wednesday he confirmed that he did know her.
When asked whether he knew Witness K, Mkhwanazi answered “no” three times. He later explained that he had not understood the question. Khumalo responded that Mkhwanazi “was not honest then or now” and told him: “You need to stop playing games and wasting time.”
Khumalo also criticised Mkhwanazi for giving long answers that did not address the questions directly. Mkhwanazi, in turn, claimed that Witness K had planned the operation and had not told the truth in her statement.
Mkhwanazi’s testimony before the commission has now concluded.
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