EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi fired

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department has dismissed Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. This comes after internal disciplinary proceedings were launched against the disgraced police officer, who had been under suspension since November last year due to allegations of corruption and misconduct. Mkhwanazi is presently in police custody, facing multiple criminal charges.

His lawyers and co-defendants plan to contest the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court decision to deny them bail in a 2022 murder case involving businessman Emmanuel Mbense. Mkhwanazi's legal counsel, Shafique Sarlie, has served notice of appeal to the state, claiming inconsistencies and errors in the Brakpan court's judgment. The defence team has identified several issues with the judgment.

Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused were denied bail on Tuesday, as the court deemed them unable to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would warrant their release. Sarlie made these assertions outside the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court, where Mkhwanazi appeared in a separate case concerning the theft of precious stones.