Ekurhuleni fires Julius Mkhwanazi — Daily Maverick
The Ekurhuleni municipality in South Africa has dismissed Julius Mkhwanazi, the deputy chief of the municipal police responsible for operations and specialized services of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department. Daily Maverick reports that the decision was made in consideration of internal disciplinary procedures, criminal cases against the official, and testimony heard by the Madlanga Commission.
Mkhwanazi was suspended from work on November 11, 2025, following an internal audit of allegations of misconduct. The city administration also said it had been monitoring serious allegations made during the work of the commission investigating alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa's criminal justice system.
Criminal proceedings
On the day his dismissal was announced, Mkhwanazi appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court alongside Keisha-Lee Stols, Adrian McKenzie, and Kgomoцо Makhuba. The case concerns the alleged theft of precious stones worth 14 million rand in Killarney in 2023. It is one of five separate criminal proceedings in which Mkhwanazi is implicated.
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Separately, Mkhwanazi and five other accused were denied bail in the case concerning the murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense. They were charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and defeating the ends of justice. According to the city, Mkhwanazi's prolonged detention also affected the decision because he was unavailable for work and due to questions about whether the disciplinary proceedings could be completed within a reasonable time.
Commission testimony
During Madlanga Commission hearings, witnesses raised questions about a memorandum of understanding between the municipal police and CAT VIP Protection Services, a company owned by Vusimuzi “Keta” Matlala. Suspended municipal police chief Jabulani Isaac Mapieye testified in November 2025 that the memorandum was fraudulent and that Mkhwanazi, then a brigadier, had no authority to conclude it on behalf of the city.
City manager Kagiso Lerutla said the administration took into account the seriousness of the cases, Mkhwanazi's senior position, the connection of the allegations to his official duties, and the possible impact of the situation on the municipality's integrity and reputation.
