THE FUSE

By Palesa Matlala

• Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi is facing three criminal cases, two disciplinary hearings and an investigation by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

• Mkhwanazi says the cases against him are politically motivated and insists he will be cleared, while political parties and civil society groups are demanding that he be fired.

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi says he will not step aside despite facing a string of criminal charges.

Speaking through his lawyers, Mkhwanazi said he believes he is innocent until proven guilty and that leaving his position now would hand victory to people who want to destroy his reputation.

The senior metro police officer is facing three criminal cases, two internal disciplinary hearings and an investigation by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

He joined the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department in 2003 and worked his way up to become deputy chief.

The City of Ekurhuleni suspended him in November 2025 after an internal audit recommended disciplinary action over allegations of misconduct. The city said it acted while monitoring serious allegations that emerged during the commission’s work.

One of the most serious cases against Mkhwanazi involves allegations that he planned a fake police raid on a flat in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate accuses him of trying to steal sugilite and manganese stones worth R14.9 million.

His former girlfriend, a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer who testified before the Madlanga Commission as Witness K, claimed Mkhwanazi organised the operation.

He has denied those allegations and was granted bail of R5,000 and is expected back in court on 25 August 2026.

Mkhwanazi is also facing fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice charges alongside Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla.

They are accused of paying R400,000 to another person to pretend to be Lerutla in court over a speeding fine.

During that arrest, police also found Mkhwanazi with an illegal firearm. He was released on R30,000 bail.

In another case, he was granted R50,000 bail after being accused of helping approve police blue lights for the private luxury vehicles of an alleged underworld crime boss.

Despite the growing legal problems, Mkhwanazi’s lawyers say he believes the charges are politically motivated because he wanted to become the next chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

They also argue that South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence until a court finds someone guilty.

His legal team said he has already explained his defence during his bail applications and remains confident that he will be cleared in all the cases.

Political pressure is, however, growing.

ActionSA has called for Mkhwanazi’s contract to be terminated immediately.

The Activists and Citizens Forum also says suspension is not enough and wants him dismissed.

Criminologist Professor Mpho Matlala said the allegations have badly damaged public trust in both Mkhwanazi and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

He said Mkhwanazi must be allowed to go through the disciplinary process because labour laws protect employees.

But if he is found guilty, Matlala believes he should be dismissed.

He warned that keeping Mkhwanazi in the job without clearing his name could further damage the reputation of the metro police and the City of Ekurhuleni.

Five things to know about Julius Mkhwanazi:

• He joined the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department in 2003 and rose to become deputy chief.

• He has been suspended since November 2025 while facing misconduct allegations.

• He is facing three separate criminal cases, including fraud, corruption and the alleged Killarney fake police raid.

• He is also being investigated by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and is facing two disciplinary hearings.

• He denies all the allegations and says the cases are politically motivated. He believes he will be cleared in court.

Pictured above: Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi says he will fight the criminal charges against him and clear his name.

Image source: File