Overview
- Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla confirmed Julius Mkhwanazi’s suspension effective 11 November 2025 and announced an immediate independent internal investigation.
- At the Madlanga Commission, former HR head Xolani Nciza alleged that Mkhwanazi used a fraudulent MOU to favor firms linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and that private cars were illegally fitted with blue lights and registered under the municipality.
- Nciza testified that former city manager Imogen Mashazi intervened to halt an extension of Mkhwanazi’s suspension, while IPID-linked evidence ties an EMPD unit under Mkhwanazi to a 2022 Brakpan murder and a 2023 truck theft and kidnapping.
- Evidence before the inquiry highlighted systemic failures at the EMPD, including large numbers of officers with criminal records and resistance to fingerprint vetting, and Nciza described alleged abuse of EMPD resources used to collect his work laptop after his own suspension.
- Parliament’s ad hoc committee challenged Police Ministry chief of staff Cedric Nkabinde over inconsistent evidence, with MPs threatening a perjury case as he acknowledged a close friendship with KZN commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi; proceedings were paused for him to correct his statement and further witness testimony is scheduled.