EMPD acting head Mkhwanazi on special leave amid blue-lights scandal

By Johnathan Paoli

Acting Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) chief Julius Mkhwanazi has taken special leave amid mounting allegations linking him to the so-called “blue-lights scandal” involving controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

The scandal, which centres on the alleged misuse of police resources and state protection services for private interests, has widened in recent weeks, drawing scrutiny over possible cover-ups within the metro police.

“The city did not put any blue-lights. I was part of the process, I didn’t put any blue-lights. Go and check the processes of the city, this is a public institution. That comes part of certain individuals attempting to kill somebody’s name and commit character assassination,” Mkhwanazi said.

The allegations first emerged last week when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Julius Mkhwanazi facilitated the registration of private vehicles under the municipality and allowed them to be fitted with blue