Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been placed on leave to allow for an investigation into allegations that he aided and abetted someone with links to organised crime in SA.
During the Madlanga commission of inquiry last week, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified that the EMPD official facilitated the registration of vehicles belonging to controversial tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is accused of attempted murder.
“This proactive step protects the city and credibility of the EMPD, reassures the public that the matter is being handled seriously, and provides space for a credible and lawful process to unfold,” Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza told Business Day.
The mayor added that testimony at the Madlanga commission was just the latest allegation that he has long wanted the EMPD boss to account for.
A confidential report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), seen by IOL, exposed alleged corruption and fraud implicating the EMPD.
The report, referenced as Boksburg CAS 262/03/2023 and dated August 1 2023, was signed by the director of investigations and acting national head of investigations. It outlines how Matlala allegedly engineered a scheme to fraudulently transfer ownership of four city-owned vehicles from the City of Ekurhuleni’s fleet to his private security company, CAT VIP, circumventing proper procedures and regulations.
“This action of [the] deputy chief being placed on special leave allows for internal audit [department] to conclude its investigation on what happened to the 2023 internal processes ... [also] looking into the matter what happened to the Ipid report and how [that] was handled,” Xhakaza said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in assigning the Madlanga commission’s terms of reference, gave it the power to “refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution”, thereby ensuring it is not toothless.
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