City of Ekurhuleni wants to restore public trust in EMPD after corruption revelations

The City of Ekurhuleni said it wants to restore public trust in its Metro Police Department after revelations of widespread corruption before the Madlanga Commission.

In recent days, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) has taken centre stage at the commission, with witnesses alleging connections between suspected criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and senior police officials.

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On Tuesday, the city suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi over allegations that he unlawfully issued blue lights to a company linked to Matlala.

The city has also announced that it has launched an independent investigation into the alleged widespread corruption of its metro police officers.

In 2023, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) issued a damning report to the City of Ekurhuleni, recommending disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi.

Despite this, no action was taken, and Mkhwanazi was instead promoted to serve as the EMPD’s second-in-command, even though the report found he had given undue favours to Matlala.

In an exclusive interview with the city’s mayor, Doctor Xhakaza, two months ago, he expressed concern that the IPID report seemed to have “slipped through the cracks”, questioning why no measures were ever taken against the EMPD top cop.

Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said the city is troubled by revelations of Mkhwanazi’s alleged corruption that have emerged during the Madlanga Commission.

“The City of Ekurhuleni confirms that Deputy Chief of Police Mr. Julius Mkhwanazi has been placed on suspension, effective 11 November 2025. This follows the recommendations of an internal audit investigation into allegations of misconduct.

“The suspension is an administrative measure intended to safeguard the integrity of the disciplinary process and should not be construed as a finding of guilt. Formal disciplinary proceedings will now follow, in line with applicable labour laws and municipal regulations.”

The city has now launched an investigation to probe allegations of widespread corruption in the EMPD.

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