Evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission sitting in Johannesburg has implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, in a series of transactions alleged to be bribes for official favours. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson told the commission that bank records and communication logs suggest Mkhwanazi provided assistance to local businessmen in exchange for illicit payments.
Financial Records And Alleged Gratifications
The commission reviewed bank statements detailing payments made from companies owned by businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala to Mkhwanazi. Records show a deposit of R20,000 on 5 May 2022, followed by a payment of R30,000 on 10 December 2022, which commission leaders argue constitute clear rewards for services rendered.
Now, all of these favours that Commissioner Mkhwanazi is being asked to provide and in many cases is providing to Mr Matlala and to Mr Van Wyk, we submit, look like favours for which gratifications are paid.
In addition to financial links, investigators presented WhatsApp exchanges between Mkhwanazi and Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk. In one noted message, Mkhwanazi wrote to Van Wyk, “Good morning Mike. Poverty is dealing with me. I’m home,” a communication that evidence leaders maintain underscores the nature of his relationship with the private sector figures.
Legal Implications And Ongoing Investigations
The Madlanga Commission is tasked with probing deep-seated corruption, the misuse of government resources, and ties between law enforcement and criminal syndicates. Beyond the commission’s hearings, Mkhwanazi faces separate criminal proceedings in the Boksburg Regional Court, where he is charged with fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
The criminal case centres on allegations that Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni municipal manager, Kagiso Lerutla, allegedly paid a third party R400,000 to impersonate Lerutla during court proceedings in March 2022. Mkhwanazi has also faced internal allegations involving the illegal use of a forged memorandum of understanding to delegate police powers to private security entities and unauthorised interference at crime scenes.
As the commission continues its work, further evidence regarding Mkhwanazi’s professional conduct is expected to be tabled as investigators look into the broader implications of private influence over municipal law enforcement structures.