Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been dismissed following the conclusion of internal disciplinary proceedings, bringing an end to his employment with the City of Ekurhuleni.
Mkhwanazi had been suspended since 11 November 2025 while facing disciplinary allegations and several criminal cases. His dismissal was confirmed on Friday, 18 September 2026.
Disciplinary proceedings
The City of Ekurhuleni’s disciplinary process followed allegations of misconduct involving, among other issues, the alleged unauthorised issuing of police blue lights to vehicles linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
According to Eyewitness News, Mkhwanazi faced four internal disciplinary charges, which ultimately resulted in the termination of his employment. The disciplinary hearing had initially been expected to begin in 2023 but was delayed.
The Johannesburg Labour Court ruled in March 2026 that the municipality was entitled to continue with the disciplinary proceedings. A civil servants’ union had challenged the City’s authority to discipline Mkhwanazi over alleged misconduct linked to an earlier employment contract. The court found that his employment relationship with the municipality had continued uninterrupted.
The City said the dismissal was an employment decision and should be distinguished from the criminal matters before the courts.
“The criminal charges against Mr Mkhwanazi remain matters for the courts, and he retains the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the City said.
Mkhwanazi remains in custody
The dismissal comes days after Mkhwanazi and five co-accused were denied bail in the murder case involving businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
Mbense was allegedly killed at his Brakpan home in April 2022. His body was later allegedly dumped at a dam near Nigel.
Mkhwanazi, together with his co-accused, faces charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. The case has been postponed to 24 November for further investigations.
Mkhwanazi’s defence has disputed the state’s case and argued during the bail proceedings that he was not present when Mbense was allegedly assaulted and killed.
The court nevertheless refused bail for all six accused, meaning Mkhwanazi remains in custody in connection with that matter.
A series of criminal investigations
The murder case is only one of several matters involving the former senior metro police officer.
Mkhwanazi has also faced allegations relating to the suspected theft of precious stones worth about R14.9 million. Prosecutors allege that a bogus police operation resulted in six boxes containing sugilite and manganese being removed from a property in Killarney, Johannesburg.
He was granted R5,000 bail in that matter, although he remained in custody because of the separate murder case.
He has also faced charges arising from the so-called blue-lights matter, involving allegations that police blue lights were unlawfully fitted to luxury vehicles associated with Matlala.
In September, Mkhwanazi was granted R10,000 bail in that case, but was not released because of the pending murder proceedings.
A separate case involves allegations of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice linked to the alleged impersonation of an Ekurhuleni city manager in court proceedings. Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations against him.
His name at the Madlanga Commission
Mkhwanazi has also featured prominently in evidence and allegations before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which has been examining allegations surrounding corruption, organised crime and interference within law enforcement.
His suspension in November 2025 followed growing scrutiny around allegations of misconduct and information emerging in connection with the commission.
The commission-related allegations and the criminal charges remain subject to legal processes and should not be treated as findings of guilt.
Defence plans to challenge bail decision
Mkhwanazi’s legal team has indicated that it intends to challenge the decision refusing bail in the Mbense matter.
His lawyer, Shafique Sarlie, said a notice of appeal had been served on the state.
“We have today lodged, by way of serving on the state, a comprehensive notice of appeal where we, with respect, detect the magistrate’s inconsistencies and errors,” Sarlie said, adding that the defence reserved the right to amend the appeal once the court transcript became available.
For now, Mkhwanazi is no longer an EMPD employee and remains in custody while the criminal proceedings against him continue.
