ActionSA has welcomed the arrest of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and urged the City of Ekurhuleni to terminate his employment contract without delay.
Mkhwanazi was arrested early on Saturday morning at his home by the South African Police Service’s Madlanga Task Team. He faces charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. He is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The arrest follows Mkhwanazi’s recent testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he provided explosive evidence and faced widespread allegations, including political interference, links to criminal networks, and the alleged capture of elements within the police. Sources confirmed his identity after an initial police statement did not name the individual. The charges are understood not to be directly linked to his commission testimony.
ActionSA spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala expressed strong support for the development, stating that the party has long called for Mkhwanazi’s removal.
“We obviously understand the fact that he’s now being arrested, which is something that we welcome as ActionSA,” Tshabalala said. He noted that allegations against Mkhwanazi date back to before the Madlanga Commission, with forensic reports allegedly hidden from council.
Tshabalala added that ActionSA had repeatedly pushed for Mkhwanazi’s suspension and disciplinary proceedings due to a litany of allegations, including claims that he concealed a murder, ran a rogue unit within the EMPD, and was shielded by the city. Some of these allegations have been denied by Mkhwanazi.
“We have been saying that suspend this man, take him to disciplinary procedures because we’ve been receiving quite a lot of information about him,” Tshabalala said. “Reports have been concealed, reports have not reached council.”
The spokesperson criticised the office of the executive mayor for allegedly sitting on investigation reports for a long time, even before a new city manager was appointed. He commended the Madlanga Commission’s work for restoring hope in law and order.
Tshabalala emphasised that Mkhwanazi’s employment must be terminated. “We’re going to continuously call for this man to be dismissed. His employment has to be terminated definitely,” he said.
He indicated that the investigations should extend further, noting names linked to a murder case and allegations of improper promotions within the EMPD. “There has to be a total cleanup,” Tshabalala stated, adding that ActionSA would support drastic measures if needed to restore the dignity and image of the EMPD so that residents of Ekurhuleni can trust the department again.
Tshabalala suggested that Mkhwanazi had enjoyed high-level protection, which made him arrogant. He referenced a circulating video in which Mkhwanazi allegedly said he would “even kill for the former city manager,” describing him as having acted like “god of Ekurhuleni.” “But now I guess the chickens have come to roost,” he remarked.
The arrest is part of a broader probe into corruption within the EMPD, with indications that Mkhwanazi may not be the only individual facing consequences.
ActionSA has fielded Xolani Khumalo, described as a man of law and order, as its mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni to help restore accountability in the metro.