Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, arrested by the Madlanga Commission SAPS Task Team on allegations of corruption.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
The arrest of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, has been widely welcomed by civic groups and political parties, who say the move marks a critical step in tackling alleged deep-rooted corruption within the metro’s law enforcement structures.
Mkhwanazi was arrested by an SAPS task team linked to the Madlanga Commission, following a series of allegations made by witnesses, including senior police officials, about alleged criminal infiltration within the justice system.
The Activists and Citizens Forum said the arrest should have happened much earlier, describing it as overdue but necessary.
“The arrest of Julius Mkhwanazi is long overdue. He was supposed to be arrested a long time ago. Nonetheless, we welcome this arrest,” said the forum’s Dennis Bloem.
Bloem said testimony before the commission had painted a troubling picture of Mkhwanazi’s alleged conduct, citing claims from high-ranking officials, including SAPS Crime Intelligence head General Dumisani Khumalo.
“We have said that the serious allegations from various witnesses before the Madlanga Commission have painted a very disturbing and dangerous picture of the Deputy Chief of EMPD, Julius Mkhwanazi, as a criminal in police uniform,” Bloem said.
He added that the allegations, which include alleged links to criminal syndicates and serious violent crimes, had shocked the public.
“What we have heard so far about EMPD Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi is very scary. There are serious allegations of various crimes, including being on the payroll of dangerous criminal syndicates, and allegations relating to murder,” he said.
The forum called for broader accountability, urging authorities to act against other officials implicated in the commission.
“Activists and Citizens Forum hope that all other alleged corrupt EMPD officials who are implicated at the Madlanga Commission will also be arrested,” Bloem said.
He added that South Africans were demanding visible action against corruption: “The people of this country are tired of corruption and want to see action. We want to see all these corrupt elements in orange uniforms.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni also welcomed the arrest, linking it to its long-standing campaign against alleged corruption in the metro.
DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the arrest followed years of pressure from the party.
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni welcomes the arrest of suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief of Police, Julius Mkhwanazi,” Rasilingwane said.
“The arrest follows years of sustained effort from the DA to root out corruption in Ekurhuleni.”
Rasilingwane referenced past controversies, including the so-called “blue light saga” in 2023, saying the party had pushed for disciplinary action at the time.
“Given the allegations against Mkhwanazi, including corruption, kidnapping and murder, this action is long overdue,” he said.
The DA further called for additional arrests of officials implicated in wrongdoing, warning that it would continue its campaign to hold those responsible accountable.
“The DA will not rest until every allegedly corrupt official within the city is brought to book,” Rasilingwane said.
Mkhwanazi is expected to appear in court, where he will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him. Authorities have not yet disclosed the full scope of charges he may face, but investigations linked to the Madlanga Commission are ongoing.