The state is opposing the bail application of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and four co-accused in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
The accused face charges relating to the 2022 murder of Boksburg businessman Emmanuel Mbense, whose body was allegedly dumped in a dam.
Appearing alongside Mkhwanazi are former EMPD officer Kersha Lei Stols, serving EMPD officer Andrian Mackenzie, Cobus Jane van Rensburg, and Bhekokwakhe Sibande.
Mkhwanazi, Stols and Mackenzie also face separate charges linked to the alleged theft of precious stones worth R15 million in a case before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecutor Advocate Nceba Ntelwa argued that there is sufficient evidence for the matter to be treated as a Schedule 6 offence.
“Because there is a murder that happened in the course of a robbery committed by a group of people.”
He told the court that the state would oppose bail.
Mkhwanazi’s lawyer, Peter Walkins, questioned why the state was opposing bail in this matter when it had not done so in Mkhwanazi’s previous Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 cases. He also requested the affidavit, charge sheet, supporting documents, and the dates on which the alleged offences were committed.
Legal representatives for the other accused indicated that they were not yet ready to proceed with the bail application.
The matter was postponed until 13 August for the continuation of the bail hearing.
