IPID Rejects Claims Ekurhuleni
Pretoria – In a firm rebuke during testimony at the Madlanga Commission, IPID Director of Investigations and Provincial Co-Ordinator Thuso Keefelakae has shot down the City of Ekurhuleni’s excuse that it could not take disciplinary steps against suspended EMPD deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi because of an ongoing criminal probe, calling it a baseless delay tactic that holds no water.
This strong stance highlights growing concerns over how the city has handled serious allegations against one of its top law enforcement officers, with accusations flying that officials dragged their feet or even shielded him from accountability. As the commission digs deeper into claims of corruption and criminality within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Keefelakae’s words add fuel to calls for transparency and swift action.
Keefelakae’s Testimony Tears Down the City’s Defence
Thuso Keefelakae took the stand to lay out IPID’s findings and recommendations, making it clear that the idea of a parallel criminal investigation blocking internal discipline is nothing more than a “serious excuse.” He explained how IPID often sends advice to bodies like the South African Police Service or municipalities to handle their own staff when no clear crime is found, but in Mkhwanazi’s case, the city seemed to use the probe as a shield.
“Yes, there are instances wherein we would send only recommendations to the SAPS to take steps against their members because we cannot find any criminal element on a particular matter. Same with the municipality, for them to take actions. So it is a serious excuse that the matter is subjudicated, that we have referred the matter for criminal prosecution. That I don’t know where it comes from,” Keefelakae stated plainly.
His comments came amid revelations that the city had rejected an IPID report from December 2023, which flagged serious misconduct and urged disciplinary measures against Mkhwanazi for fraud and corruption. Instead of acting, the city’s legal team drafted a response questioning the strength of the evidence, claiming it would be “difficult to prove fraud and corruption.” This letter, later conceded by Ekurhuleni’s head of legal services Kemi Behari as looking “like an attack” on IPID’s work, raised eyebrows about possible interference or bias in protecting high-ranking officials.
Behari, during his own time before the commission, admitted the wording was off: “The contents of the letter, I accept was drafted by my team. I read the contents. It is looking like we are attacking a charge against an employee. I have reflected on that, and very clearly, it does look like that.” Such admissions point to internal mishandling that could have stalled justice for months.
The Web of Allegations Against Mkhwanazi
Julius Mkhwanazi, a brigadier in the EMPD, found himself in hot water over a string of claims that paint a picture of abuse of power and shady dealings. Central to the storm is his alleged role in unlawfully authorising blue lights – gear meant only for official emergency vehicles – to be fitted on private cars belonging to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman facing charges of attempted murder and other crimes. This not only breaks strict rules on equipment use but also hints at cosy ties between law enforcement and questionable figures.
CCTV footage added to the fire, showing Mkhwanazi and EMPD officers at a workshop in Meyerton, where they allegedly stole copper and other valuables. Further probes uncovered claims that under his watch, a specialised unit pinched precious stones worth a staggering R42 million from a crime scene or storage. Keefelakae clarified this as corruption under section 28, subsection 1G of the relevant laws, describing it as “deprivation of ownership through misrepresentation” rather than outright theft, but no less serious.
Testimony from former EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies ramped up the heat, alleging systemic failures in discipline that let convicted criminals slip back into uniform without clearing their records. Spies pointed fingers at Mkhwanazi for approving tenders at inflated prices, protecting rogue officers, and even helping cover up a killing in Brakpan. Irregular contracts with companies linked to Matlala also surfaced, suggesting Mkhwanazi pushed the EMPD into deals that smelled of favoritism and kickbacks.
These issues tie into broader patterns of infiltration, where criminal networks allegedly worm their way into police ranks, using bribes or threats to sway decisions. Mkhwanazi’s refusal to undergo vetting for his position only deepened suspicions, as proper checks could have flagged risks early.
Timeline of Delays and Suspensions
The saga kicked off in 2023 with IPID’s initial report, but action lagged. By September 2025, the Ekurhuleni city council debated and rejected a motion to suspend Mkhwanazi, opting instead to refer it to management – a move critics called a dodge. An urgent push in October to place him on precautionary leave over his Matlala links also fizzled, despite mounting evidence.
Things shifted on 11 November 2025, when the city finally suspended him after an internal audit backed IPID’s red flags. Officials stressed it was administrative, not a guilty verdict, and launched a wider independent probe into EMPD wrongdoing. City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi explained: “In line with municipal legislation and our clean governance mandate, we are launching an immediate and independent internal investigation into new allegations of wrongdoing within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). We will act decisively on its findings, without fear or favour.”
This broader look aims to root out any rot, separate from the audit that nailed Mkhwanazi. Yet, questions linger on why it took so long, with fingers pointing at political pressures or internal alliances stalling the process.
The Madlanga Commission’s Role in Uncovering Truth
The Madlanga Commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was set up to probe deep-seated corruption and criminal infiltration in key institutions, including metro police forces. Running alongside parliamentary hearings on SAPS corruption, it has become a stage for whistleblowers and officials to spill details that expose flaws in the system.
Witnesses like Spies and Keefelakae have painted a grim picture of unchecked power, where disciplinary steps falter and excuses pile up. The commission’s work echoes past inquiries into state capture, aiming to recommend reforms like tighter vetting, independent oversight, and harsher penalties for obstruction. By hearing from all sides, it seeks to rebuild trust in law enforcement, which has taken hits from scandals that leave communities vulnerable.
For everyday South Africans in Ekurhuleni – a bustling area east of Johannesburg with over 3 million residents – these revelations hit home. EMPD officers are meant to keep streets safe, but if leaders bend rules, it erodes confidence and lets crime thrive. Economic tolls follow, with corruption siphoning funds meant for roads, services, and jobs.
Implications for Accountability and Reform
Keefelakae’s dismissal of the city’s excuse underscores a key gap: internal processes shouldn’t wait on criminal cases unless directly tied. Experts note that parallel probes are common, allowing discipline to proceed while courts handle crimes, preventing endless delays that let suspects linger in roles.
This case could spark changes, like mandatory timelines for acting on IPID reports or training for municipal legal teams to avoid perceived attacks on investigations. Civil groups call for whistleblower protections, given risks – as seen in related claims of bribes offered to silence corruption reports elsewhere in IPID circles, though not directly linked here.
As the commission wraps up, eyes are on whether Mkhwanazi faces full charges, and if the city’s probe uncovers more heads to roll. For now, it serves as a wake-up call: no one, no matter their rank, should dodge scrutiny. In a country still healing from graft’s scars, holding leaders accountable is key to safer, fairer communities.
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