Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi testified on Wednesday at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that former Democratic Alliance (DA) Mayor Tania Campbell was “very pleased” with VIP protection services provided by controversial tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company ahead of her 2022 State of the City Address (SOCA). Mkhwanazi, facing allegations of corruption and unlawfully enabling Matlala’s private vehicles to operate as pseudo-police units with blue lights and sirens, claimed the partnership was transparent and known to top municipal officials, including Campbell and suspended EMPD Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye. “The Alderman [Mayor Tanya Campbell] was happy. She…
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu became the latest high-profile figure to come under pressure at the Madlanga Commission as he struggled to justify his role in the alleged political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system. Mchunu has long insisted that his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team was based on advice from senior SAPS leadership. But during his testimony on Thursday, Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga challenged the minister’s explanation, exposing key contradictions. The commission found that the report authored by National Commissioner Fannie Masemola — which Mchunu claimed informed his decision — was actually received after the directive to…
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has admitted under oath that he accepted money from controversial businessman and criminal accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in exchange for favours. Appearing for a second day before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, Mkhwanazi crumbled after hours of intense cross-examination by Evidence Leader Advocate Mahlape Sello. Having spent the previous day evading questions and contradicting himself, he eventually conceded: “I received money from him for things like petrol and food. When I was suspended I had no income, and he assisted me. We were very close.” Mkhwanazi had begun…
The suspension of Advocate Kemi Behari, Head of Legal and Risk Services for the City of Ekurhuleni, marks another escalation in a widening corruption probe involving the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). Announced on December 3, 2025, her precautionary suspension—with full pay—stems from allegations that she failed to initiate disciplinary proceedings against suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, despite recommendations from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). This follows a City Council resolution on November 18, 2025, empowering City Manager Kagiso Lerutla to act under senior manager disciplinary regulations. Behari was given an opportunity to submit representations, but the…
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is expected to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating cartel infiltration in the criminal justice system, where he will be questioned about a string of serious allegations spanning murders, cover-ups and corruption. Mkhwanazi, who was placed on special leave earlier this year, has been directly implicated by multiple witnesses, including convicted criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Last week, Matlala told the committee that he enjoyed a close friendship with Mkhwanazi and “donated” several vehicles to the City of Ekurhuleni as part of an arrangement with the deputy chief. However, former…
Former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi came under sharp criticism at the Madlanga Commission after she accused suspended metro police chief Jabulani Mapiyeye of years-long harassment and possible rape of female colleagues—without providing substantiating evidence. Evidence Leader Advocate Mahlape Sello challenged Mashazi for relying on a 2011 rape charge that was withdrawn, accusing her of “weaponising rape” for ulterior motives. “You omitted to inform the commission that the rape charge you rely on was withdrawn a long time ago… This commission is not in the business of inflicting secondary victimisation,” Sello said. When questioned about her own lack of action,…
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System—commonly referred to as the Madlanga Commission, after its chair, retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga—was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2025. It stems from explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused high-level figures, including then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, of undermining investigations into politically motivated killings and colluding with organized crime elements. Public hearings began on September 17, 2025, and have uncovered layers of alleged interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the controversial…
Ekurhuleni’s former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi clashed repeatedly with evidence leader Adv Mahlapi Sello during a fiery appearance before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, 1 December 2025. Mashazi, accused of protecting suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary action, was reprimanded several times for being uncooperative, consulting her phone, answering back and failing to answer questions directly. Sello warned: “We are not going to work like this. You’re either with the commission or you ask for time to attend to your phone.” The former city manager denied shielding Mkhwanazi over his controversial dealings with accused criminal Vusimuzi “Cat”…
South Africans were on Thursday offered rare insight into the life of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman accused of being the alleged criminal figure known as “John Wick”. Appearing before Parliament, Matlala was questioned over his alleged involvement in violent crimes, including kidnapping, attempted murder, and suspected corruption involving senior police officials and politicians. Matlala firmly rejected all allegations, insisting he is not part of any criminal cartel and claiming that actions taken against him—including the cancellation of his South African Police Service (SAPS) tender and his subsequent arrest—were politically motivated. “It was orchestrated by people who wanted to use…
An emotional testimony unfolded at the Kgoshi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria when alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala recounted his traumatic childhood during an Adhoc Committee hearing probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Matlala told the committee he grew up on the streets after his mother — whom he described as an albino — disappeared under tragic circumstances. He alleged she was the victim of sexual violence driven by harmful superstitions. “My mother, she was an albino. I learned she was raped because some people believe you can be cured of some things if you rape…