Julius Mkhwanazi set to appear before Madlanga Commission

Suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) head Julius Mkhwanazi will appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday.

Mkhwanazi is accused of evading disciplinary action and being shielded by the former City Manager, Imogen Mashazi, despite several criminal probes and findings against him.

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He will be expected to answer questions around a deal he struck between EMPD and two companies belonging to tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The memorandums of understanding (MOU), signed unlawfully by Mkhwanazi in 2021, ultimately allowed Matlala’s private security vehicles to be registered as municipal vehicles for his personal use.

Mkhwanazi has been painted as a law unto himself, taking unlawful decisions and leading a rogue unit within the EMPD.

He’s also accused of enjoying protection from his close associate, Mashazi.

But while Mashazi distanced herself from any ties to Mkhwanazi when testifying before the Madlanga Commission this week, previous testimony suggests the pair were close.

The former Ekurhuleni head of employee relations, Xolani Nciza, alleged that disciplinary charges against Mkhwanazi in relation to the Matlala deal were halted in June 2023.

He told the commission that Mashazi shielded Mkhwanazi from any form of discipline.

“Senior management, for the first time, was hellbent on protecting an employee, regardless of procedures of the municipality and processes of the municipality. Senior management acted as if they were shopstewards of this employee.”

Mkhwanazi was officially suspended by the City of Ekurhuleni in November.