Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Thursday to face allegations of corruption and links to a crime syndicate. Suspended EMPD acting chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, has admitted to aclose personal relationship with alleged cartel-linked businessman Vusimuzi“Cat” Matlala, but firmly denied fitting blue lights to Matlala’s vehicles. Mkhwanazi made the disclosures on Thursday during his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing alleged corruption and political interference within the EMPD.
His appearance comes amid mounting scrutiny over his conduct, following previous testimony at the Madlanga Commission and a prior suspension linked to the same allegations. Under questioning, Mkhwanazi confirmed that Matlala was not just a business associate but someone he regarded as a “brother”. However, he insisted the relationship never crossed into criminality or abuse of office.“I was suspended on February 20, 2023,” Mkhwanazi told MPs.
“The letter said I stole blue lights and branded vehicles for Cat Security. My suspension was for three months. I stayed at home for three months.” He was reinstated after the suspension lapsed, but the allegations have continued to dog his career and now form part of parliamentary oversight.
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But, Mkhwanazi was formally suspended on November 11, 2025, by the city following an internal audit and revelations at the Madlanga Commission. At the centre of the controversy are claims that Mkhwanazi facilitated the fitting of blue emergency lights, reserved for law enforcement, to vehicles linked to Matlala’s security company, CAT VIP. Matlala has been repeatedly linked in media reports to underworld figures, though he has denied wrongdoing.
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