By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted R10,000 bail in the high-profile blue lights case, but will remain in custody over a separate murder matter.
Mkhwanazi appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where Magistrate Trevor Classen handed down judgment on his bail application, which was argued on 28 August.
But his release will not take effect because he is also facing a separate case linked to the murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense in Brakpan, with judgment in that bail application expected on Tuesday.
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The blue lights case has been postponed to 9 October to allow Mkhwanazi’s defence team further time to consult and review the docket.
Mkhwanazi is accused alongside attempted murder accused businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and EMPD fleet manager Chris Steyn.
The three face six counts of corruption, one count of fraud and one count of defeating the administration of justice.
Steyn was previously granted R10,000 bail, while Matlala remains in custody and postponed his bail application to allow his defence more time to prepare.
The case centres on allegations that Mkhwanazi helped facilitate the fitting of blue lights to four luxury vehicles linked to Matlala without the necessary authorisation.
The vehicles — a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen Golf — were allegedly caused to be registered as part of the City of Ekurhuleni’s municipal fleet without proper authorisation and fitted with blue lights, giving the private vehicles the appearance of official municipal law-enforcement vehicles.
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The allegations emerged prominently during testimony before the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.
Evidence before the commission alleged that Mkhwanazi signed two memoranda of understanding in October 2021 involving Matlala’s companies, Cat VIP Protection Services and Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The agreements were allegedly intended to create what was described as an “endless working relationship” between the EMPD and the companies.
The State has also alleged that R70,000 was paid by three companies linked to Matlala into Mkhwanazi’s personal bank account.
Mkhwanazi has denied wrongdoing and told the Madlanga Commission that although he facilitated the registration of the vehicles with the city, he did not arrange for blue lights to be fitted or for the vehicles to be branded as EMPD vehicles.
His latest bail application was initially delayed when Classen reserved judgment after the 28 August proceedings, saying certain aspects required further consideration.
Classen previously acknowledged that while an accused person is entitled to have a bail application finalised without undue delay, Mkhwanazi would not suffer prejudice because he was already being held in connection with other matters.
The blue lights case marked Mkhwanazi’s fifth arrest.
