WATCH | Suspended EMPD deputy chief arrested again in latest IPID probe

Mkhwanazi

Johannesburg – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million from a Killarney apartment in Johannesburg.

Mkhwanazi was arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on Friday alongside another suspect believed to be Witness K, who previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The pair are being held at Germiston Police Station and are expected to appear in court on Monday, 20 July.

The arrests form part of an investigation involving five suspects accused of illegally raiding a Killarney home, seizing six boxes of sugilite and manganese stones without a warrant and allegedly failing to register the exhibits with the South African Police Service.

One suspect, private security officer Etienne van der Walt, has since had charges against him withdrawn, while EMPD officers Adrian MacKenzie and Kersha-Leigh Stols were granted R5,000 bail and will return to court on 25 August.

According to IPID, the accused are alleged to have acted outside their jurisdiction, with one suspect impersonating a police officer during the raid. Mkhwanazi and his co-accused face corruption charges linked to the unlawful search and seizure.

During her testimony before the Madlanga Commission, Witness K alleged that Mkhwanazi encouraged her to find ways to make money after she became financially dependent on him. She claimed this led to the planned theft of the precious stones in February 2023 and alleged that R110,000 from the proceeds was shared among those involved.

Mkhwanazi’s latest arrest marks the third time he has been arrested since appearing before the Madlanga Commission. He was previously arrested in April as part of a corruption investigation into the EMPD and again earlier this month over the alleged unlawful installation of blue lights on vehicles linked to alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

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