The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is expected to hear further testimony from suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi on Wednesday, as he responds to a series of allegations linking him to misconduct and alleged criminal activities.
Mkhwanazi has come under increasing scrutiny following testimony from businessman Mike van Wyk and a witness identified as Witness K, who claims to be his former girlfriend.
Van Wyk told the commission that Mkhwanazi allegedly used a fraudulent memorandum of understanding to secure police blue lights for a newly acquired bakkie.
The commission also heard evidence suggesting Mkhwanazi received money from both Van Wyk and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. In a WhatsApp video shown during proceedings, Van Wyk is seen holding a stack of cash while joking with Mkhwanazi about how the money should be spent.
“Hey Julius, I hope you’re having a warm day like we have here. This fan of mine is not working so lekker. Anyways, I have another one here. Please tell me how we’re going to spend this money. Have a lekker day,” Van Wyk says in the video.
Meanwhile, Witness K implicated Mkhwanazi in the alleged theft and sale of precious stones worth an estimated R14.9 million.
Testifying in camera on Tuesday, she told the commission that she met Mkhwanazi in 2022 and later entered into a romantic relationship with him. During his suspension, she said she regularly provided him with financial support, including assistance with groceries, legal fees and his children’s school fees.
“His requests for financial assistance were very frequent, and despite promising to do so, he did not pay me back,” she testified.
The inquiry previously heard allegations that precious stones identified as sugilite were seized from an apartment in Killarney, Johannesburg, before disappearing from police custody.
Witness K alleged that Mkhwanazi coordinated the operation after she passed on information about the stones, which she had received from a man identified as Jelu Semon.
“The seizure of the precious stones was not a joint operation with provincial authorities, as previously stated by suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. He told me to keep my ear to the ground and pass him any information in exchange for money,” she said.
According to her evidence, the stones were later sold for R110,000 and the proceeds divided among five people. She testified that she collected the payment from the buyer before meeting Mkhwanazi at a car wash, where the money was shared.
She further implicated EMPD officials Keisha Lee-Stols and Norman McKenzie, as well as a man identified as Van der Walt.
“After receiving the money, I met Mr Mkhwanazi at the car wash. He then called Officer Stols to join us. We shared the money equally among the five of us. I handed over R88,000 for Mr Mkhwanazi, officers Stols and McKenzie, as well as Mr Van der Walt. I kept R22,000 for myself,” she said.
Witness K told the commission she only later discovered the stones’ true value, leaving her feeling exploited.
“Looking back at everything, I feel like I was used,” she testified.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo questioned whether the amount she received was the main reason for that sentiment.
Mkhwanazi is expected to address these allegations when he returns to the witness stand. The commission’s first interim report has already recommended that he be considered for criminal prosecution and disciplinary action.