Julius Mkhwanazi
Julius Mkhwanazi is the suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), a metropolitan municipality in Gauteng, South Africa. He faces multiple criminal charges, including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice, with one case relating to an alleged scheme in which he and Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla allegedly paid about R400 000 to a third party to impersonate Lerutla in court on a speeding charge in 2019. He has appeared in the Boksburg Regional Court on multiple occasions, with proceedings postponed for amended charge sheets and pre-trial preparation. He has also featured prominently in testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political interference and crime and corruption in the police and criminal justice system, where witnesses alleged he was shielded from investigation by senior Ekurhuleni officials, including heads of department Kemi Behari and Linda Gxasheka, both of whom were subsequently removed from their posts. Mkhwanazi has also been linked to tender tycoon and criminal suspect Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, reportedly fitting police blue lights to vehicles belonging to Matlala's private security company in an alleged corrupt relationship. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA, have cited his case as emblematic of entrenched corruption within the EMPD and the City of Ekurhuleni, with Gauteng legislature replies revealing 88 bribery cases against EMPD officers over five years but only eight dismissals. His continued suspension on full pay, pending unresolved disciplinary processes, has been repeatedly criticised by opposition figures as evidence of weak consequence management ahead of the November 2026 local government elections.
Julius Mkhwanazi Updates
DA’s Rasilingwane pledges whistleblower unit to 'crush corruption' in Ekurhuleni
By: Thabi Shomolekae 27th August 2026 DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane has committed to establishing a dedicated, independent whistleblower protection unit... →
DA Ekurhuleni will crush corruption with new whistleblower unit
27th August 2026 Today, I stood outside the Ekurhuleni Council Chambers with hundreds of DA activists, councillors and residents who are tired of watching... →
Criminal links of South Africa’s private security companies also require scrutiny
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 17th August 2026 Involvement of criminal actors in the private security industry raises questions about industries’ management of firearms. Whether for good reasons... →
Evolve Madlanga Commission into permanent national police integrity tribunal
14th August 2026 The Madlanga Commission model combining investigators, lawyers, powers to subpoena, televised proceedings and accelerated prosecutions, should be... →
DA reveals 88 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer cases of criminal bribery, but just 8 dismissals
13th August 2026 The DA can reveal that Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers face 88 cases of corruption and bribery, in just the last five years, but only 8... →
ActionSA demands immediate termination of employment of Julius Mkhwanazi
6th August 2026 ActionSA calls on the Ekurhuleni City Manager, Katlego Lerutla, to effect immediate termination of the employment of suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy... →
DA pressure leads to removal of Madlanga Commission accused HODs
31st July 2026 Sustained pressure by the Democratic Alliance has led to council authorising the removal of Kemi Behari and Linda Gxasheka as Heads of Department... →
The Persistent Failure to Conclude Disciplinary Matters Continue to Undermine the Integrity and Reputation of the City of Ekurhuleni
9th July 2026 The continued inability to conclude disciplinary matters is undermining the credibility of the City of Ekurhuleni. Residents have witnessed... →
DA renews call for Ekurhuleni City Manager's immediate suspension following court appearance
3rd July 2026 The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the appearance of Ekurhuleni City Manager, Kagiso Lerutla, and suspended EMPD Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, in... →
Daily Podcast – April 20, 2026
20th April 2026 Making headlines: Ramaphosa warns global inequality threatens democracy DA calls for immediate suspension of arrested Ekurhuleni municipal... →
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