Johannesburg – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will remain in custody after appearing in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court in connection with a controversial blue-lights case.
According to The Citizen, Mkhwanazi’s bail application was heard on Friday, 28 August, but the magistrate reserved judgment after finding that “certain aspects” of the application required further consideration. The ruling is expected on 14 September.
The State did not oppose Mkhwanazi’s bail application. However, the court said he would remain in custody at Benoni police station in the meantime.
Mkhwanazi, through his lawyer Shafique Sarlie, denied the allegations and described the State’s case as weak, claiming that his arrest and prosecution were motivated by “ulterior and nefarious political motives”.
“I have no doubt that I will be completely exonerated in my trial,” Mkhwanazi said in his affidavit, according to the report. He also maintained that he intended to plead not guilty.
Matlala, who was arrested alongside Mkhwanazi and EMPD fleet manager Chris Steyn, chose to postpone his bail application.
“We are not abandoning bail. We are just requesting for time so that we can prepare for the bail application,” Matlala’s lawyer told the court.
Steyn, 51, was granted R10,000 bail. He told the court he had no previous convictions or pending criminal cases and undertook not to interfere with witnesses or investigations.
Blue lights at centre of case
The latest charges relate to allegations that Mkhwanazi helped arrange the installation of blue emergency lights on four luxury vehicles linked to Matlala without the necessary authorisation.
The vehicles — a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen Golf — were allegedly registered as Ekurhuleni municipal vehicles before being fitted with the lights.
SABC News reported that the three accused face charges including corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice. The State alleges that the vehicles were linked to Matlala’s companies, Medicare24 and Cat VIP Protection Services.
The controversy previously emerged during testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where it was revealed that Mkhwanazi signed two memorandums of understanding with companies linked to Matlala in October 2021.
The Citizen reported that the State further alleges that R70,000 was paid by three of Matlala’s companies into Mkhwanazi’s personal bank account.
The Mail & Guardian reported that Thursday’s arrest was Mkhwanazi’s fifth arrest warrant and added to mounting legal pressure on the suspended police official.
The blue-lights allegations are separate from another case in which Mkhwanazi and three others face charges linked to alleged interference with disciplinary proceedings against him. That matter was postponed to 9 October.
Mkhwanazi is also facing a separate murder case involving businessman Emmanuel Mbense, with his bail proceedings in that matter continuing in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
