The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is harbouring dangerous criminals who are being shielded from accountability by senior officials and politicians.
That’s according to former EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies, who made explosive claims before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, echoing earlier allegations by his suspended boss, Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye.
Mapiyeye previously told the inquiry that one of his deputies, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, was running a “criminal outlet” within the department, and had authorised the illegal use of blue lights and police registration plates on vehicles owned by alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
While Mapiyeye focused on abuse of power and irregular appointments, Spies went further — accusing Mkhwanazi and his subordinates of murder, extortion, and organised theft.
He presented a video showing several uniformed officers entering a private property and allegedly stealing copper cables in Meyerton, an area far outside EMPD’s jurisdiction. The footage showed Mkhwanazi and another officer, Kisha-Lee Strauss, accompanying a civilian identified as Etiene van Wyk, who was driving an EMPD vehicle allocated to Strauss.
“We are not responsible for such operations,” Spies testified. “Even if we arrived first at a scene, we would secure it and hand it to SAPS. What you see in this footage is clearly irregular and unauthorised.”
According to Spies, a group of officers under Mkhwanazi’s command allegedly beat a man to death in 2022, later dumping his body in a river. Despite a witness affidavit submitted to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), no arrests have been made.
“The witness wanted to turn state witness,” Spies told the Commission. “He said the officers suffocated the man, loaded his body into a bakkie, and dumped it in a river.”
Although Mkhwanazi did not personally take part in the killing, Spies claimed he arrived at the scene afterward and helped his officers clean up the evidence.
Spies said he is personally aware of at least two murders linked to EMPD officers who have yet to be held accountable.
He also revealed he now lives in fear after receiving intelligence that his name appeared on a hit list allegedly discussed by Mkhwanazi and others.
“A colleague from state security told me that Mkhwanazi discussed hiring hitmen to kill me,” said Spies. “We live in fear. We don’t have protection, and every day feels dangerous.”
When asked why no action had been taken, Spies backed Mapiyeye’s earlier claims that Mkhwanazi enjoys protection from senior city officials, including former City Manager Imogen Mashazi.
“The chief tried on several occasions to act, but he was never supported,” Spies said. “He was victimised like me — placed on leave, then suspended. They protected Mkhwanazi at every turn. Even the IPID cases against him have stalled.”
Spies also revealed that a whistleblower who supplied him with the copper theft footage was murdered shortly after the implicated officers were released on bail.
“The person who gave me the footage and had agreed to testify was shot and killed soon after,” Spies said.
The allegations have raised renewed concerns about criminal infiltration in law enforcement and the lack of progress in ongoing investigations.
The Madlanga Commission continues to hear evidence into allegations of corruption, political interference, and criminal collusion within law enforcement structures.