Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been placed on suspension

Zuko Komisa

The City of Ekurhuleni has suspended its Deputy Chief of Police, Julius Mkhwanazi, effective this Tuesday, following an internal audit investigation into allegations of serious misconduct.

The move follows explosive evidence presented at the recent Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that implicated Mkhwanazi in alleged criminality.

Mkhwanazi is a senior official in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), responsible for overseeing law enforcement in the municipality.

The allegations centre on Mkhwanazi’s purported links to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges.

Testimony at the commission alleged that Mkhwanazi unlawfully authorised the installation of police blue lights on Matlala’s private security vehicles and registered some of Matlala’s private vehicles as official municipal vehicles.

The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that formal disciplinary proceedings will now follow, in line with applicable labour laws and municipal regulations, to fully address the claims against the Deputy Chief.