IPID urges Madlanga Commission to probe Ekurhuleni over failure to act against Mkhwanazi

Acting head of IPID, Thuso Keefelakae, has appealed to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to probe the City of Ekurhuleni’s failure to implement recommendations contained in a scathing report.

The report stems from an IPID investigation into several allegations of criminality against suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi and other EMPD officers.

This includes findings that Mkhwanazi was involved in the cover-up of a 2022 murder and that he fraudulently entered into a contract with companies linked to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The agreement reportedly resulted in Matlala fitting blue lights in his personal vehicles for private use.

Despite IPID finding Mkhwanazi guilty of several serious charges and recommending action against him, the City of Ekurhuleni did not act.

Instead, Mkhwanazi was promoted.

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Keefelakae conceded that the police watchdog faces increasing challenges in carrying out its work.

However, he said none have been as difficult as dealing with the City of Ekurhuleni.

Testifying at the Madlanga Commission, Keefelakae said IPID presented its report to the city in 2023, yet Mkhwanazi was never disciplined.

“A person must disclose that he has a criminal matter pending, as well as a departmental matter. But today, as we sit here, Commissioners, we are talking about a person who got promoted. There is no logic to that.”

Keefelakae concluded his testimony on Tuesday and is set to reappear at a later stage.