Key Takeaways
- The City of Ekurhuleni terminated Deputy Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi on 18 September 2026 after weighing internal disciplinary findings, ongoing criminal cases, and evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission.
- Mkhwanazi had been suspended in November 2025 following an internal audit that uncovered allegations of misconduct, including an unlawful memorandum of understanding with a private security firm.
- He faces multiple criminal charges, notably a R14‑million precious‑stones theft and a murder case in which he was denied bail, raising concerns about his prolonged unavailability.
- Testimony before the Madlanga Commission linked Mkhwanazi to the killing of “Witness D” (Marius van der Merwe), whose anonymous evidence had implicated him in criminal networks within law‑enforcement.
- Former HR head Xolani Nciza alleged that top‑management interference repeatedly blocked disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, while suspended HR head Linda Gxasheka was accused of shielding him.
- City Manager Kagiso Lerutla emphasized that the decision considered the seriousness of the allegations, Mkhwanazi’s seniority, the link to his official duties, and the resulting reputational damage to the municipality.
- The firing underscores the Madlanga Commission’s early impact, showing how its inquiries can precipitate concrete personnel actions even before the inquiry concludes.
Background on the Termination
On Friday, 18 September 2026, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality announced the dismissal of Julius Mkhwanazi, Deputy Chief of Police responsible for operations and specialised services. The statement said the termination followed a careful review of the city’s internal disciplinary processes, the criminal matters pending against him, and the evidence placed before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. The move came a day after the first anniversary of the commission, when its chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, warned that substantiated allegations would reveal deep infiltration of state institutions by criminal networks.
Internal Audit and Suspension
Mkhwanazi had been suspended on 11 November 2025, in line with the recommendations of an internal audit investigation that probed allegations of misconduct within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). The audit examined claims ranging from financial irregularities to abuse of authority. City leadership noted that they had closely monitored the serious allegations emerging from the Madlanga Commission while the suspension remained in effect, awaiting the outcome of both the disciplinary inquiry and the criminal proceedings.
Connection to the Madlanga Commission
Throughout the commission’s hearings, Mkhwanazi’s name surfaced repeatedly as witnesses detailed alleged wrongdoing within the EMPD. A central piece of evidence concerned an alleged unlawful memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the metro police and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection Services. Suspended EMPD Chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye testified that the MOU was fraudulent and that Mkhwanazi, then a brigadier, lacked the authority to bind the City to such an agreement. This testimony reinforced concerns that senior police officials were engaging in illicit arrangements that undermined public trust.
Precious Stones Heist Case
The city’s announcement coincided with Mkhwanazi’s appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on the same day, where he stood alongside co‑accused Keisha‑Leigh Stols, Adrian Mackenzie, and Kgomotso Makhuba. They are charged with the theft of precious stones worth approximately R14 million from a Killarney business in 2023. This case is one of five separate criminal matters currently facing Mkhwanazi, illustrating the breadth of the alleged criminal conduct attributed to him.
Murder Charge and Bail Denial
Adding weight to the city’s decision, Mkhwanazi remains incarcerated after being denied bail in a high‑profile murder case. On Tuesday, 15 September 2026, the Brakpan Magistrates’ Court refused bail for Mkhwanazi and five co‑accused—former EMPD official Stols, suspended officer Mackenzie, private‑security owner Cobus Janse van Rensburg, and police officers Bhekokwakhe Sibande and Juan Maree Eksteen. They face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and defeating the ends of justice in the killing of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense. The denial of bail highlighted concerns about his prolonged unavailability and the feasibility of concluding internal disciplinary proceedings within a reasonable timeframe.
Witness Killing and Commission Link
The murder case is tightly interwoven with the Madlanga Commission’s own investigations. Marius van der Merwe, who testified anonymously before the commission as “Witness D,” was killed on 5 December 2025 after providing evidence that implicated Mkhwanazi in alleged criminal networks. Van der Merwe’s death added a grave dimension to the inquiry, suggesting that individuals who cooperated with the commission were being silenced. Consequently, Mkhwanazi’s conduct came under scrutiny both in the criminal courts and before the commission, reinforcing perceptions of a broader pattern of intimidation and corruption within law‑enforcement structures.
HR Interference Allegations
Further damaging testimony emerged in November 2025 when former Ekurhuleni head of employee relations Xolani Nciza asserted that repeated attempts to suspend Mkhwanazi were allegedly thwarted by interference from top management. Nciza’s evidence raised questions about why disciplinary action against the senior police commander had repeatedly stalled despite clear concerns about his conduct. The narrative drew in Linda Gxasheka, the suspended head of human resources, who, according to Mapiyeye’s testimony, was accused of shielding Mkhwanazi from accountability. When she appeared before the commission on 26 February 2026, Gxasheka denied allegations that she had usurped the powers of the suspended chief, stating, “I refute the allegations that I supported or participated in the usurpation of powers.”
City’s Official Statement and Reputational Concerns
City Manager Kagiso Lerutla framed the dismissal as a measured response to multiple risk factors. In the official statement, Lerutla said the city had considered the seriousness of the matters, Mkhwanazi’s seniority within the EMPD, the direct connection between the allegations and his official responsibilities, and the resulting impact on the integrity and reputation of the municipality. The statement emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly but followed a detailed submission from the city’s human‑resources department, an appraisal of internal disciplinary processes, the evidence before the Madlanga Commission, and the cumulative effect of the ongoing criminal cases on the employment relationship.
Implications for Ekurhuleni Police and Governance
Mkhwanazi’s termination signals a potential turning point for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, indicating that the city is willing to enforce accountability even for high‑ranking officials when faced with substantiated allegations of criminality and maladministration. The case also illustrates how external investigative bodies such as the Madlanga Commission can accelerate internal reforms, prompting municipalities to act before inquiries conclude. Moving forward, Ekurhuleni will likely need to rebuild public confidence through transparent reforms, stricter oversight of police‑private security collaborations, and robust protections for whistle‑blowers who come forward with evidence of wrongdoing. The episode serves as a stark reminder that the integrity of law‑enforcement institutions hinges on both rigorous internal controls and the courage to act when those controls are compromised.