Allegations of rogue EMPD unit involved in murder, theft, corruption made public

Explosive allegations of a rogue Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) unit involved in murder, theft and corruption have been made public before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

On Monday, former EMPD Deputy Commissioner Revo Spies testified about members attached to the now-disbanded Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) unit that was involved in at least five criminal cases.

This includes the murder and subsequent cover-up of a man in Brakpan in 2022.

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The SWAT unit previously reported to acting EMPD head Julius Mkhwanazi, who has been linked to criminally-accused tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Despite trying to rid EMPD of corrupt officials allegedly involved in serious criminal activities, there has been very little action taken by the City ofEkurhuleni to deal with the rot within the metro police.

Mkhwanazi is accused of having run a rogue unit within the metro police that has been involved in crimes dating back to 2022.

Spies told the Madlanga Commission that despite criminal cases being probed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and in some instances EMPD officers arrested, Mkhwanazi and his units enjoyed political protection.

“Brigadier Mkhwanazi and his unit, the VIP protection side, the specialised services and all of those officers were very seriously protected by the city manager, by the head of legal, by the head of HR. They protected Brigadier Mkhwanazi to the extent that, I cannot explain to you the victimisation that I experienced, I was even pushed out.”

Mkhwanazi was placed on special leave in October following the allegations made against him in the commission.

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