Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted R10,000 bail in connection with the so-called blue lights case.
Mkhwanazi, alleged crime cartel kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and City of Ekurhuleni fleet manager Chris Steyn are facing six counts of corruption, one count of fraud and one count of defeating the administration of justice.
The case relates to allegations that blue lights were unlawfully fitted to vehicles belonging to Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection Services.
Mkhwanazi was among several people arrested earlier last month in connection with the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
Mbense was allegedly tortured to death in Brakpan before his body was dumped in a dam.
The arrests followed allegations presented at the Madlanga Commission, which has been investigating claims of links between police officials and private security personnel and Mbense’s death.
Mkhwanazi’s bail in the blue lights matter does not bring the separate murder-related proceedings to an end, with investigations and legal proceedings continuing.
The allegations against Mkhwanazi, Matlala and Steyn have not been proven in court, and they are presumed innocent unless found guilty.