Julius Mkhwanazi and co-accused in Mbense murder case denied bail

By Johnathan Paoli

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused facing murder charges over the death of businessman Emmanuel Mbense have been denied bail, with the court finding that none of them had demonstrated exceptional circumstances warranting their release.

Delivering his ruling at the Brakpan Magistrate’s court in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, Magistrate Colin Mashego said the court was not satisfied that any of the accused had met the legal threshold for bail.

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“The court finds no exceptional circumstances. The court is not satisfied that applicants 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 have shown exceptional circumstances. Bail is therefore refused for applicants 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. That is my judgment,” Mashego said.

The ruling means private security owner Cobus Janse van Rensburg, former SAPS officer Bhekokwakhe Sibande,