Mkhwanazi grilled over 2 am scene tied to death

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi was put on the spot at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, where he was accused of being untruthful about his actions at a 2 am operation later linked to a death. At the centre of the grilling was his relationship with the late Jaco Hanekom, an informer Mkhwanazi admitted he had grown close to, even investing R100 000 in his business. Senior evidence leader Advocate Sello questioned how Hanekom appeared to operate freely alongside law enforcement, despite having no legal authority to arrest or seize goods.

The commission then turned to a 2022 incident in the Brakpan or Springs area. Mkhwanazi said Hanekom called him in the early hours of the morning to “see the success” of a recovered truck. He told the commission he arrived at a scene filled with SAPS members, private security and several unidentified men, yet claimed he did not know who was leading the operation.

He also denied knowing some of the EMPD officers who were allegedly present, despite being the head of specialised services at the time. Pressed further, Mkhwanazi admitted he suspected that people at the scene might remove items from the truck, but said he left without intervening. He did not open a case, file a report or record what he had seen.