JOHANNESBURG - Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has maintained his innocence.
He claims his arrest was orchestrated by individuals with ulterior and nefarious political motives.
These claims were heard when his affidavit was read out by his legal representative during his bail application in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Mkhwanazi appeared alongside former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi, suspended City of Ekurhuleni head of legal services Kemi Behari and suspended head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka.
The four were arrested overnight in a Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) operation.
In his affidavit, Mkhwanazi "emphatically" denied any involvement in the offences.
He said he expects that once he obtains docket disclosure, he will be able to fully disclose his defence and rebuttal to any adverse allegations.
“I have no doubt that I will be completely exonerated in any trial and moreover, completely clear my name in the public forum.”
The charges before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court relate to the 2023 blue lights saga involving the private vehicles of controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the vehicles were allegedly registered illegally under EMPD.
READ | Julius Mkhwanazi among four arrested in task team takedown
She said a thorough investigation by the Commission Recommendations Task Team found that they also provided Matlala with an appointment card, which would assist him in identifying himself as a law enforcement officer.
Mathe added that the alleged dealings were not uncovered until News24 made enquiries.
“Upon receiving this inquiry, that was when, allegedly, Julius Mkwanazi went back and deregistered the vehicles. An internal departmental investigation was then initiated, and that's when he was suspended, and a criminal case was also registered,” she explained.
Mathe further revealed that the then city manager, as well as the two heads of department, lifted Mkhwanazi’s suspension and blocked, shielded, and protected him from any disciplinary processes that would unfold.
“Further investigation then tells us that later on, the two HODs, as well as Julius Mkwanazi, got salary increments that were allegedly not approved by council, and that is what has brought us here today.”
The blue lights saga is one of two criminal cases Mkhwanazi is facing.
He is also appearing before the Boksburg Magistrate's Court, alongside municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla, over fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
They are accused of paying a third party about R400,000 to impersonate Lerutla in court.
READ | UPDATE: Mkhwanazi, Lerutla case postponed
Lerutla was due to appear on a speeding charge in 2019, but allegedly missed the court appearance to attend a job interview. The pair are out on R30 000 bail.
Even in that case, Mkhwanazi remains confident that the case is weak ‘even without being subjected to the rigour of the examination in a trial.'