{
  "id": 8481388,
  "title": "DA welcomes dismissal of EMPD’s Mkhwanazi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/da-welcomes-dismissal-of-empds-mkhwanazi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T14:27:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/da-welcomes-dismissal-of-empds-mkhwanazi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, the Democratic Alliance (DA) candidate for Ekurhuleni mayor, expressed her delight over the dismissal of former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. She stated that the DA had been advocating for his suspension due to alleged involvement in the so-called Blue Light Saga. Rasilingwane emphasized that the dismissal of Mkhwanazi is just the start of efforts to improve policing in Ekurhuleni. She vowed to continue fighting for the residents of Ekurhuleni, highlighting that this issue was raised in 2023 when they first learned about Mkhwanazi's involvement with Kenny Kunene and Katlego Matlala. At the same time, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis called for effective policing, restoration of integrity within law enforcement, and addressing corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and EMPD. He urged for stronger policing and greater accountability, speaking after a public meeting in Kempton Park and a wreath-laying ceremony at the site where one of the victims was found. Hill-Lewis urged the community to demand a government that cares, restores integrity, and removes corrupt officers from both the SAPS and EMPD.",
  "summary": "Rasilingwane says Mkhwanazi’s dismissal is only the beginning of efforts to strengthen policing",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "BREAKING | EMPD fires Julius Mkhwanazi amid corruption, murder case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/breaking-empd-fires-julius-mkhwanazi-amid-corruption-murder-case",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:37:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi fired",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/empd-deputy-chief-julius-mkhwanazi-fired",
        "published": "2026-09-18T13:18:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "EMPD top cop Julius Mkhwanazi fired",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/empd-top-cop-julius-mkhwanazi-fired",
        "published": "2026-09-18T14:25:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}