Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, has admitted to receiving money from alleged criminal kingpin VusiMuzi Cat Matlala.
Mkhwanazi appeared in the Madlanga Commission on Thursday following allegations of criminal infiltration and corruption in the justice cluster.
“Matlala assisted me during those times , in bad times he used to assist me” he said.
Bank statements were presented to the commission, showing large transfers into Mkhwanazi’s account from three of Matlala’s companies.
Mkhwanazi admitted receiving the payments in 2022, but claimed he had actually received more from Matlala.
The payments received from Matlala is between R15 000 and R70 000.
However , Mkhwanazi disputed that these payments were for gratification.
Mkhwanazi indicated that Matlala would assist him when he needed money for food to provide for his family.
“Sometimes he’d give me money for petrol or sometimes he’d even borrow money from me” he said.
He said Matlala contributed financially to his three siblings’ burial and attended the funerals, describing their relationship as blood brothers.
MKHWANAZI ADMITS TO SIGNING MOU WITH MATLALA
The deputy chief is accused of signing the EMPD into a fraudulent contract with Matlala’s companies.
It is alleged Matlala’s private security and medical companies were unlawfully issued with the city’s blue and red lights, and Mkhwanazi had no authority to enter into any agreement on behalf of the department.
Mkhwanazi admitted that he signed the a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Matlala’s companies but explained that it was never officially approved by EMPD.
He further denied claims that he was involved in the fitting of blue lights in any of Matlala’s vehicles.
Mkhwanazi told the commission that Medicare24’s Mike Van Wyk suggested installing blue lights on the company vehicles, but the City did not approved.
“Commissioners, I can’t accept this. I did not do it… I can’t go to jail and leave my kids over blue lights,” he said.
The Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga, stepped in to point out that nobody had mentioned jail. But Mkhwanazi explained the commission’s work had serious consequences.
“This is a commission of inquiry; you’ll be making recommendations. I’ll be sitting somewhere, and I won’t see you. I’ll see you after 10 years or 50 years,” he said.
Mkhwanazi’s testimony will continue next year .
