Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi

In a high-stakes appearance before the Madlanga commission of inquiry into corruption and criminal infiltration in South Africa’s justice system, suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has strongly denied allegations of wrongdoing. Testifying on 3 December 2025, Mkhwanazi addressed claims that he unlawfully authorised the installation of blue lights on vehicles owned by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a figure linked to attempted murder charges. The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mogoeng Madlanga, has heard explosive evidence of alleged corruption within the EMPD, including irregular contracts, political tensions, and failures in vetting processes. Mkhwanazi’s testimony comes amid his recent suspension over a purported fraudulent deal with Matlala’s company, Cat VIP Protection Services, highlighting deeper issues of accountability in local law enforcement.
The Madlanga commission, established to probe systemic corruption in policing and related sectors, has already uncovered layers of misconduct in Ekurhuleni. Witnesses have painted a picture of blurred lines between public duties and private interests, with Mkhwanazi at the centre. His evidence aimed to counter these narratives, but it also revealed ongoing disputes within the department, including clashes with former colleagues over operational decisions and hiring practices.
Denial of Blue Lights Installation and Vehicle Donation Saga
Mkhwanazi firmly rejected accusations that he installed blue lights on seven vehicles provided by Cat VIP Protection Services. “I did not install blue lights; I did not see the cars; they did not come to the city,” he told the commission. Blue lights are strictly reserved for official law enforcement vehicles, and their unauthorised use is a serious offence under South African traffic laws.
The controversy stems from a 2021 plan where Matlala’s company intended to donate its older fleet to the EMPD. Mkhwanazi explained that he approached Matlala after learning the businessman was upgrading his vehicles to “classy, highly performing quality cars” to attract international clients. Facing severe shortages in the EMPD’s fleet—described as old and frequently breaking down—Mkhwanazi saw an opportunity to bolster resources at no cost to the municipality.
“I said, ‘Guys, you know that we are suffering. I will go and twist Mike [van Wyk of Cat VIP]. By then I was communicating with Matlala. I arranged and met with Vusi. He said he was changing the fleet, but his [old cars] are costing him with service. I said we do not have cars at the city of Ekurhuleni. I said if he can dump them to us, I wanted to twist his arm,” Mkhwanazi recounted.
He consulted his then-boss, EMPD deputy chief Goodman Mzolo, who referred him to Chris Stein, the fleet registration manager. Stein reportedly registered the vehicles under the metro, but the donation stalled due to concerns raised by another deputy chief, Revo Spies, and public backlash on social media. “We never received the cars physically,” Mkhwanazi insisted, adding that Stein had informed him there was no formal donation process in place, leading him to believe his actions were helpful.
This account contrasts with earlier testimony from Spies, who alleged the vehicles—including BMWs, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Volkswagen—were fitted with blue lights and operated as if they were official EMPD units. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) had recommended disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi in September 2023 for these irregularities, fuelling suspicions of favouritism.
Ties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and the Memorandum of Understanding
At the heart of the allegations is Mkhwanazi’s relationship with Matlala, the owner of Cat VIP Protection Services and Cat VIP Holdings, companies involved in security and VIP protection. Matlala, who faces charges related to attempted murder, has been described in commission hearings as an alleged underworld figure whose firms effectively “outsourced law enforcement” in Ekurhuleni.
Mkhwanazi admitted to signing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in June and October 2021 that established an “endless working relationship” between the EMPD and Cat VIP. The documents allowed Cat VIP to assist with VIP protection and security services, including attending crime scenes and providing backup. One MOU even permitted the municipality to use a helicopter from the company for up to two hours a month.
“I read and signed,” Mkhwanazi confirmed, but he defended the arrangement as necessary due to budget constraints and security threats. He claimed Cat VIP’s involvement was cost-free and served as a marketing strategy for Matlala. “It was at no cost to the city. [Matlala] said, I’ll just provide my guys to assist. He didn’t charge us anything. I think for him it was part of a marketing strategy,” he said.
The commission heard that Cat VIP provided security at the 2022 state-of-the-city address (SOCA) during former mayor Tania Campbell’s tenure, amid fears of disruptions from ANC supporters. Mkhwanazi approved the operational plan, which included Cat VIP as backup, and insisted EMPD chief Isaac Mapiyeye was aware and signed off on it. However, he accused Spies of submitting a forged version of the plan to the commission.
Previous witnesses, including suspended city director of employee relations Xolani Nciza, disputed the legitimacy of the relationship. Nciza testified: “There is no working relationship, let alone an endless one. He had a working relationship, not [with] the municipality.” Former city manager Imogen Mashazi admitted to an “administrative slip-up” in not conducting proper due diligence on the MOU, though she denied shielding Mkhwanazi from discipline.
Security Threats and Political Tensions in Ekurhuleni
Mkhwanazi painted a picture of a department under strain, justifying Cat VIP’s role by citing intelligence reports of threats during the 2022 SOCA. He said the EMPD’s limited resources forced reliance on external help to protect officials. “The tension between me and Revo Spies started when we were coming in. Before we joined the metro, we were from different political parties, and we were young and participating, and we are not apologetic about that,” he added, suggesting political motivations behind the accusations.
The commission was shown a video where Mkhwanazi told Mashazi, “We will die for you; I will take a bullet for you,” underscoring his loyalty but raising questions about personal allegiances over professional duties. Spies, a former National Party affiliate, has been portrayed as part of lingering bureaucratic tensions from apartheid-era structures.
Refusal to Undergo Vetting and Revelations of Criminal Records in EMPD
In a separate but related bombshell, Mkhwanazi admitted during his testimony that he and his team refused to provide fingerprints for criminal record checks during a 2022 department-wide vetting process. The exercise, which vetted 3,762 EMPD officers, uncovered 275 with previous convictions and 100 awaiting trial— including serious crimes like murder and rape. Shockingly, some convicted officers continued serving in uniform due to inadequate disciplinary follow-up.
Mkhwanazi justified his refusal by claiming the process was flawed, as it involved a private service provider he believed could be manipulated. “I said let’s do it with a recognised institution, a government institution, where the process won’t be manipulated,” he explained. As a senior officer, he insisted only the State Security Agency should handle his vetting: “Let State Security come here so we can give (it to them). I won’t give (my fingerprints) to any junior.”
Spies testified that nearly 200 officers under Mkhwanazi’s command also refused the checks, and no vetting reports on them have surfaced. This lapse highlights systemic failures in the EMPD, where Mkhwanazi was promoted to deputy chief in December 2023 despite these red flags.
Allegations of Irregular Hires and Evading Accountability
Further allegations against Mkhwanazi include making 55 irregular promotional hires within the EMPD in a short period, as claimed by his boss, Mapiyeye. These hires bypassed standard procedures, raising concerns of nepotism or favouritism.
Witnesses like Nciza accused senior officials—Mashazi, legal services head Kemi Behari, and HR boss Linda Gxasheka—of interfering in disciplinary processes to protect Mkhwanazi. Mashazi, in her testimony, denied ulterior motives but acknowledged oversights. Mkhwanazi is also accused of facilitating the fraudulent registration of private vehicles as municipal assets, allowing Cat VIP to operate with apparent official authority.
His recent suspension stems from these probes, including the unlawful MOUs that allegedly enabled Matlala’s firm to act as an extension of the EMPD. The commission has heard how this blurred public-private boundaries, potentially compromising law enforcement integrity.

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Julius Mkhwanazi

Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi Denies Installing Blue Lights and Defends Ties to Cat VIP at Madlanga Commission

Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi

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