Suspended EMPD Boss Denies Involvement in Murder Case

Key Takeaways:

• Marius van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer, was murdered in December 2025 after testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about an alleged cover-up involving the torture and murder of a robbery suspect.
• Van der Merwe had implicated EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the alleged cover-up, who has since denied any involvement and claimed not to know Van der Merwe.
• Mkhwanazi has admitted to having a relationship with organized crime accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is central to the overall law enforcement scandal.
• Mkhwanazi has conceded that he may have made mistakes in his dealings with Matlala, including accepting money for a bull and not disclosing it.
• The ad hoc committee investigating the allegations has raised concerns about Mkhwanazi’s trustworthiness and his ability to recognize conflicts of interest.

Introduction to the Scandal
The murder of Marius van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer, has sent shockwaves through the South African law enforcement community. Van der Merwe had testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about an alleged cover-up involving the torture and murder of a robbery suspect, implicating EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the process. Mkhwanazi has since denied any involvement in the alleged cover-up, claiming not to know Van der Merwe. However, Mkhwanazi has admitted to having a relationship with organized crime accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is central to the overall law enforcement scandal.

Mkhwanazi’s Testimony
Mkhwanazi testified before the ad hoc committee investigating the allegations, denying any involvement in the alleged cover-up and claiming not to know Van der Merwe. However, he did admit to having a relationship with Matlala, which he claimed was a professional one. Mkhwanazi also conceded that he may have made mistakes in his dealings with Matlala, including accepting money for a bull and not disclosing it. He claimed that he had declared the payment, but the ad hoc committee raised concerns about his trustworthiness and his ability to recognize conflicts of interest.

Mkhwanazi’s Relationship with Matlala
Mkhwanazi met Matlala through Mike van Wyk, the director of a private clinic in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. Van Wyk had offered free health services to metro police members, and Mkhwanazi had met him in late 2020. Mkhwanazi testified that he was impressed by Matlala’s security company, Cat VIP, and that they had developed a close relationship. Matlala would often ask Mkhwanazi for clarity on issues relating to clinics and how these were linked to provincial and local government. Mkhwanazi claimed that he had identified a need for Matlala’s team to provide training to EMPD’s tactical teams, but that he had told Matlala that EMPD’s VIP was sourced internally.

Controversies Surrounding Matlala
Companies tied to Matlala have previously featured in controversies. Last year, the SAPS awarded a R360-million contract to Medicare 24, which was subsequently cancelled. Meanwhile, Matlala’s security company, officially identified in government statements as Cat Protection and Security (Pty) Ltd, sparked a Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority crackdown after irregularities in how it was registered were picked up. The ad hoc committee has raised concerns about Mkhwanazi’s relationship with Matlala and the potential for conflicts of interest.

Investigation and Aftermath
The ad hoc committee is continuing its investigation into the allegations, with Mkhwanazi’s testimony providing a significant insight into the relationships between law enforcement officials and organized crime accused. The committee has raised concerns about Mkhwanazi’s trustworthiness and his ability to recognize conflicts of interest, and has called for further investigation into the matter. The murder of Van der Merwe has highlighted the dangers faced by whistleblowers in South Africa, and the need for greater protection and support for those who come forward with allegations of corruption and wrongdoing.

Conclusion
The scandal surrounding the murder of Marius van der Merwe and the alleged cover-up involving the torture and murder of a robbery suspect has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability within the South African law enforcement community. The relationships between law enforcement officials and organized crime accused, as revealed in Mkhwanazi’s testimony, have raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential for corruption. The ad hoc committee’s investigation will continue to shed light on these allegations, and it is hoped that justice will be served for Van der Merwe and his family.