Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, 50, was arrested on Saturday morning at his home in Gauteng on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice.
The arrest was carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Madlanga Task Team as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption within the EMPD. The task team continues to search for other suspects linked to the case. Mkhwanazi is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe confirmed the arrest of a 50-year-old EMPD official while speaking to the media. He noted that the city could not release the name at that stage, as it would be handled by SAPS and the task team. Mbengashe said the city welcomes the development.
“We can confirm that there was an arrest of a 50-year-old EMPD official,” Mbengashe stated. “As a city, we do welcome the arrest. A lot of the efforts that have been taken by the administration that is led by the new city manager Kagiso Lerutla was to work hand in hand with the Madlanga Commission. We’ve been supporting them throughout these past few months with information and anything they need from our side as a city. So we do welcome the current developments and we are waiting to see what else will emerge.”
Mbengashe described the revelations from the Madlanga Commission as disheartening and shocking for many professionals working in the city. He emphasised ongoing governance reform efforts, including collaboration with the Wits School of Governance under Mr Timber MO to conduct a governance audit and strengthen systems.
The spokesperson added that the city has announced several suspensions of senior officials and will continue cleaning up operations. “We want to emerge from the Madlanga Commission renewed. We want the branded Ekurhuleni to rise to its former glory as an aerotropolis city,” he said. “We can assure the public that things are being done.”
Mbengashe also hinted at progress in investigations within the ICT environment, with possible announcements expected on Monday or Tuesday. He confirmed the city is running concurrent forensic investigations and working closely with SAPS and the Madlanga Commission, but could not provide details on the number of additional imminent arrests in this specific case.
The arrest follows Mkhwanazi’s recent testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system. The commission has heard evidence related to alleged corruption within the Ekurhuleni municipality and its police department.
City officials have stressed their commitment to institutional renewal and restoring public confidence through continued cooperation with investigative bodies. Further updates are anticipated as the matter proceeds to court and additional announcements from SAPS are made in the coming days.