IPID Investigations Director warns of crime web within EMPD

By Johnathan Paoli

Acting national IPID Director of Investigations Thuso Keefelakae has claimed what he describes as a “serious trend” of criminality within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), with certain officials’ names appearing repeatedly in cases involving fraud, corruption, staged truck hijackings, drug routes, and violent crime.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday, Keefelakae testified that he personally signed recommendations in September 2023 for suspended EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi to face disciplinary charges in the “blue lights” scandal, citing “overwhelming evidence”.

ALSO READ:R646 Million water contract declared invalid in major blow to state procurement

“EMPD did not have the appetite to implement those recommendations,” he said.

He described longstanding “challenges with initiating disciplinary proceedings” against Mkhwanazi and said Ekurhuleni authorities showed little willingness to hold him accountable.

Keefelakae told the commission he was “disappointed and shocked” to discover a letter authored by Ekurhuleni Legal Services, including suspended head Kemi Behari, which he said vindicated Mkhwanazi, without any disciplinary process having taken place.

“The letter never reached IPID,” he testified.

Shortly thereafter, Mkhwanazi was “promoted” and “elevated”.

Keefelakae said a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on IPID’s referral of the fraud and corruption case against Mkhwanazi is now “imminent”.

When pressed about a two-year delay in referring the “blue lights” matter for prosecution, Keefelakae cited “dependencies”, Section 205 subpoenas and the need to ensure the “quality” of evidence.

ALSO READ: O’Sullivan on the defensive: five things that irked MPs

Although the direct financial prejudice was about R2,000, relating to registration costs, he maintained the case was solid.

Keefelakae also addressed the murder of Emmanuel Mbhense, alleging that officers who went to Mbhense’s home under the pretext of questioning him about a stolen truck assaulted him when he “reportedly failed to answer their questions”.

IPID has recommended disciplinary action to Ekurhuleni as recently as 4 February, and the DPP is expected to decide on prosecution before the end of the month.

In the Brakpan murder case, in which Mkhwanazi and other EMPD and SAPS members are implicated in the death of a “Mr Bhengu”, Keefelakae defended IPID’s handling of the investigation and its engagement with the family.

“It was the very same family that said we are happy that you are doing good. They didn’t just say it verbally…They even reduced it in writing to say we are happy,” he said.

He challenged claims by third parties that the family was dissatisfied.

Commissioners also interrogated IPID’s handling of a video clip allegedly showing EMPD officers, including Mkhwanazi, at a scene linked to copper theft in Meyerton.

Keefelakae confirmed that Tshwane Deputy Commissioner Rivo Spies sent the clip to an IPID official’s private phone.

ALSO READ: O’Sullivan rejects spy claims, outlines background before Parliament committee

“Part of the clip was not opening,” he said, and no criminal case was registered.

He acknowledged that IPID does have the power to initiate investigations based purely on video evidence, referencing instances where IPID acted on media clips.

Commissioners expressed concern about the three-year delay since a March 2023 meeting at which the matter was allegedly discussed.

Keefelakae conceded that IPID had not yet obtained a report from investigators in the West Rand jurisdiction, where Meyerton falls, but said the matter would now be prioritised.

“Within this month, we should have made some progress,” he assured the commission.

The commission continues.

INSIDE METROS