{
  "id": 5493779,
  "title": "Julius Mkhwanazi, co-accused back in court for bail application",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/julius-mkhwanazi-co-accused-back-in-court-for-bail-application",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T04:27:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/julius-mkhwanazi-co-accused-back-in-court-for-bail-application/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Julius Mkhwanazi, a suspended Deputy Chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), returned to court on Friday for a bail application alongside five others. The six accused individuals are facing charges such as murder, robbery, and defeating the ends of justice, all related to the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense in Brakpan. During Thursday's proceedings, Juan Maree Eksteen, another co-accused and a former SAPS Flying Squad member, was set to cross-examine Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigator Nomsa Masuku. Masuku expressed concern that Mkhwanazi, due to his position as Head of Department, could influence witnesses to provide statements in a way that benefits him. Mkhwanazi's ability to interfere with potential witnesses was a key point raised by Masuku, suggesting that if Mkhwanazi were released on bail, he might hinder the process of obtaining truthful testimonies.",
  "summary": "The six are linked to the 2022 murder of Brakpan resident, Emmanuel Mbense.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}