Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Acting Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi faced a bruising cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, as evidence leaders and the chairperson tore into two controversial memoranda of understanding (MOUs) he signed with companies linked to attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The MOUs – one with Matlala associate Mike van Wyk’s Medicare 24 and another with Matlala’s CAT VIP Protection Services – were signed by Mkhwanazi alone in October 2021 and have been branded unlawful by previous witnesses.
Under intense questioning, Mkhwanazi insisted he never “approved” the fitting of blue lights on private vehicles, claiming the documents only spoke of him offering “support” and that final authorisation had to come from outside the metro police department.
Evidence leader Advocate Sello Mahlape put it to him directly: “So you had approved the provision of blue lights?”
“No, I didn’t approve, madam,” Mkhwanazi replied. “Here it doesn’t say approve… It says ‘support’ and it must go to the person who must approve.”
When Inquiry Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga asked where in the MOU it stated that final approval for blue lights still had to go outside the metro, Mkhwanazi responded: “Commissioner, you are cornering me, you are not being fair.”
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi also challenged Mkhwanazi on why a medical services agreement with Medicare 24 included clauses allowing a private company to handle crime scene exhibits – a function normally reserved for police forensics.
Mkhwanazi maintained that the vehicles supposedly donated under the MOUs were never delivered to the City of Ekurhuleni. “I didn’t install blue lights, I didn’t brand the cars, I didn’t see the cars physically. They didn’t come to the city,” he testified.
The commission heard that despite no vehicles being handed over, several luxury vehicles linked to Matlala’s companies were fitted with blue lights and, in some cases, registered under the City of Ekurhuleni’s asset register.
Justice Madlanga pressed Mkhwanazi on the rapid formalisation of ties with private security companies. When asked whether anything had changed between 15 and 16 October 2021 – the day before and the day he signed the MOUs – Mkhwanazi conceded the situation remained the same, prompting raised eyebrows from the bench.
The deputy chief also admitted that EMPD officers had been working alongside private security companies, including CAT VIP, but insisted there was no formal arrangement until the October MOUs.
Previous witnesses, including retired EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies, have accused Mkhwanazi of running a “secret police empire” and granting Matlala’s firms police-like privileges in exchange for alleged favours.
An IPID investigation recommended disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, but the City of Ekurhuleni has yet to act fully, citing internal obstructions.
The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate political interference and criminality within the justice cluster, continues its hearings this week.