Madlanga Commission: Ekurhuleni HR Chief Hesitant to Suspend Deputy Police Boss Julius Mkhwanazi Amid Corruption Claims
Johannesburg – In explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, former Ekurhuleni Employee Relations Director Xolani Nciza has revealed that the head of the city’s metro police HR department, Linda Gxasheka, was reluctant to push forward with the suspension of Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. This hesitation came despite mounting allegations of misconduct, including abuse of power and ties to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The commission, probing deep-rooted corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), heard on Wednesday how safety and reputational risks played a key role in delaying action against one of the force’s top officials.
Testimony Highlights Reluctance and Risks
Nciza, who served as the municipality’s Employee Relations Director until recently, took the stand to detail the internal deliberations surrounding Mkhwanazi’s case. He explained that he was first informed in February 2023 about serious allegations against the deputy chief, including the unauthorised fitting of state blue lights on Matlala’s private vehicles – an act widely seen as a blatant abuse of official resources.
“My understanding is that she was reluctant because of the risk associated with the suspension itself,” Nciza testified, referring to Gxasheka’s stance. “She did not express concern over the allegations, but rather over the potential security and reputational risks of acting against him.”
According to Nciza, Gxasheka’s caution stemmed from Mkhwanazi’s alleged close connections to Matlala, a figure already under scrutiny for various controversies. Matlala, often described as an alleged underworld boss in media reports, has been linked to security firms and other ventures that raised red flags within the municipality. “It was not going to be a simple disciplinary process,” Nciza added. “It involved a character who was outside the institution but had significant influence.”
The commission learned that these ties made the matter “delicate”, with fears that suspending Mkhwanazi could expose officials to personal dangers or backlash. This reluctance persisted even as evidence mounted, highlighting broader challenges in addressing corruption within high-ranking positions in South African law enforcement.
Allegations of Fake Agreements and Abuse of Power
Delving deeper, Nciza exposed a web of alleged deceit involving Mkhwanazi. He revealed details of a fake Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) purportedly between the EMPD and Matlala’s CAT Security Protection Services. This unapproved agreement allegedly allowed for the registration of vehicles and other privileges, enabling Matlala’s allies to bypass standard checks and protocols.
Nciza slammed a letter authored by Mkhwanazi as a clear abuse of power, claiming it aided Matlala’s associates in dodging necessary verifications. He denied Mkhwanazi’s earlier assertion that the Ekurhuleni metro had a “long-standing and endless working relationship” with Matlala’s firm, labelling it a misrepresentation. Instead, Nciza described their interactions as a problematic “working relationship” that lacked official sanction and veered into dishonest conduct.
Further allegations painted Mkhwanazi as having posed as the acting police chief without proper authority, running what witnesses have called a rogue EMPD unit. This unit reportedly operated outside standard vetting processes, allowing for the misuse of police resources to benefit private individuals and companies connected to Matlala. Two other EMPD members have already testified about similar patterns of corruption and misconduct, including the diversion of official assets for personal gain.
The Suspension Process and Its Aftermath
Nciza outlined the step-by-step internal assessment led by the municipality’s employee relations unit. Following this review, a pre-suspension letter was issued to Mkhwanazi on 20 February 2023. The document cited gross dishonesty and possible corruption, warning that his ongoing presence at work could jeopardise investigations or lead to further wrongdoing.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Mkhwanazi was initially allowed to keep his tools of trade during the pre-suspension phase, including his firearm and computer – a standard procedure until a final ruling, as Nciza explained. However, after Mkhwanazi failed to provide convincing reasons to avoid suspension, he was formally placed on leave on 24 February 2023.
The commission has heard how this case exemplifies systemic issues within the EMPD, where influential figures like Mkhwanazi allegedly exploited their positions. Witnesses have described a culture of fear, where officials treaded carefully to avoid repercussions from powerful external players like Matlala.
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