JOHANNESBURG - Suspended Ekurhuleni deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission that he did not want to go to jail for something he did not do.
That was in December 2025. However, months later he faces a myriad of allegations and has since been arrested three times.
Mkhwanazi was first implicated by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the Commission in September 2025 that he had facilitated the registration of vehicles belonging to businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
READ: Mkhwanazi: I can’t go to jail for something I didn’t do
The KZN Police Commissioner alleged that Matlala enjoyed a lot privilege from law enforcement. Ekurhuleni's Mkhwanazi however, denied the claims insisting proper procedures were followed when registering the vehicles that he called 'donations' to the municipality.
He went on to say that the allegations were unfounded and not investigated.
Who is Julius Mkhwanazi
Ekurhuleni Police Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye told the Commission that Mkhwanazi's appointment was irregular.
He said that many appointments during his time bypassed proper procedures and were never formally approved or in writing. When he queried Mkhwanazi's appointment, he was suspended on trumped up charges.
READ: Legal woes deepen: Julius Mkhwanazi granted bail yet again as cases pile up
Mapiyeye said Mkhwanazi refused to be vetted, citing terms of his appointment as the reason. He did not introduce Mkhwanazi formally as would have been his job as the head of the metro police.
Mkhwanazi was protected from within
When Mkhwanazi's appointment and his relationship with Matlala came under the spotlight, witnesses at the Commission said he enjoyed protection from within.
Former Ekurhuleni municipality employee relations officer Xolani Nciza said Mkhwanazi was protected by municipal manager Dr Imogen Mashazi. In a video shown presented as evidence, Mkhwanazi can be seen and heard pledging that he would kill for Mashazi.
READ: Julius Mkhwanazi claims ' jilted' ex-lover fabricated gemstone theft story
Mkhwanazi had a supposed disciplinary hearing and accusations against him were being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). However, the matter did not go far.
Mashazi told the Commission that she took action against Mkhwanazi, who allegedly signed a memorandum compelling the City of Ekurhuleni to do business with Matlala’s companies: CAT VIP and Medicare 24.
The Commissioners argued that the City, including Mashazi, did little to hold Mkhwanazi accountable, despite an IPID report recommending he be charged.
Now suspended Ekurhuleni Risk and Legal Services head Kemi Behari denied stopping a disciplinary probe against Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi and Matlala
Mkhwanazi told the Commission that he met Matlala through Medicare24 owner Mike van Wyk. Over time they formed a relationship.
He said that Matlala informed him that he wanted to donate some of his vehicles to the Metro for use. He accepted the donations on the municipality's behalf and helped facilitating their registration. The vehicles were subsequently vehicles and used by Matlala's partners.
He told the Commission that Matlala had good intensions by 'donating' his fleet to the municipality.
Witness D and Emmanuel Mbense
Mkhwanazi was implicated the late Marius van der Merwe who, when testifying at the Commission, was known as Witness D for the murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense. Van der Merwe was assassinated outside of his home in Brakpan in December 2025.
Mbense was allegedly murdered by police, with Mkhwanazi's role in disposing of his body being highlighted during Van der Merwe's testimony.
Julius Mkhwanazi's arrests
The embattled Mkhwanazi was first arrested on Saturday 18 April on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating and/or obstructing the ends of justice.
He appeared at the Boksburg Magistrate's Court with Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla. They are accused to paying someone R400,000 to pose as Lerutla in court over a speeding charge, while Lerutla attended a job interview.
The pair were granted R30,000 each and the case is still ongoing.
His second arrest came early July where he was arrested along with Mashazi, Gxasheka and Behari. Charges against them stem from testimony at the Madlanga Commission. They appeared at the Germiston Magistrate's Court where Mkhwanazi and Behari were granted R50,000 bail each.
Gxasheka and Mashazi's bail application was adjourned to the next day. They were also granted R50,000 bail each.
READ: CAT VIP had ‘good intentions’ for EMPD, says Mkhwanazi
In June, Witness K testified before the Madlanga Commission. She alleged that she had had a relationship with Mkhwanazi and implicated him in the theft of R14.9 million worth of precious stones.
The stones were allegedly stolen from an apartment in Killarney in a staged robbery in 2023. Mkhwanazi was said to be the mastermind of the robbery. EMPD officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stohls were also arrested for the theft.
Businessman Etienne van der Walt has since been cleared of all wrongdoing.
On 17 July Mkwanazi was arrested again for the precious stones robbery along with Witness K. He is the fifth suspect in the robbery, appearing at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court together on charges related to fraud and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
READ: Commission not behind task team arrests, says Madlanga Inquiry
He has defended himself saying Witness K was merely a 'jilted' lover who fabricated the gemstone theft story.
They have both being granted R5,000 bail each. Their case has been postponed to 25 August for further investigation.