EMPD

Madlanga Commission | EMPD’s Mkhwanazi could face criminal charges

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says investigations into suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, have been finalised, paving the way for possible criminal charges. Acting IPID National Head of Investigations, Thuso Keefelakae, told the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday that Mkhwanazi could face prosecution on a range of charges, including murder, truck hijacking and the alleged use of state resources to commit crimes. Keefelakae said IPID's […]

February 11, 2026 48

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Madlanga Commission welcomes President’s decision to establish task team

The Madlanga Commission has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a task team to investigate individuals identified in its interim report. The commission says it has uncovered prima facie evidence against several individuals, including current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) and the South African Police Service (SAPS). President Ramaphosa has instructed law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice institutions to act with urgency in implementing […]

January 29, 2026 44

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Ekurhuleni suspends HR HOD Linda Gxasheka

The City of Ekurhuleni has placed Human Resources Head, Linda Gxasheka, on precautionary suspension with immediate effect. Gxasheka name surfaced in allegations of irregular conduct by city officials, raising concerns about potential corruption and interference within the criminal justice system. She is accused of disregarding disciplinary recommendations against suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who faces serious corruption charges. This follows allegations that he installed state […]

December 12, 2025 115

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Three persons of interest identified in murder of Madlanga Commission witness

National police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has revealed that three persons of interest have been identified in connection with the murder of a witness in the Madlanga Commission. Witness D, who has been identified as Marius Van der Merwe, was shot dead in full view of his wife and children in Brakpan on Friday night. Van der Merwe, who testified in camera in November, made damning allegations exposing alleged deep-rooted […]

December 8, 2025 115

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Madlanga Commission | Mkhwanazi denies granting Matlala blue-light privileges

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief, Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, has denied installing blue lights on vehicles belonging to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi is accused of abusing state resources to benefit associates, including allegedly granting Matlala’s vehicles unlawful blue-light privileges and signing an open-ended security tender with Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection. He told the commission that he was suspended for three months over allegations he […]

December 3, 2025 55

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Madlanga Commission | EMPD chief accused of fathering children with subordinates

Former Ekurhuleni municipal manager, Dr. Imogen Mashazi, has accused suspended EMPD police chief Isaac Mapiyeye of fathering multiple children with junior staff in the department. Mashazi testified before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, addressing allegations about her tenure and her alleged unusually close association with suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi. Mashazi — who has been accused of helping sideline officials who reported alleged misconduct by Mkhwanazi — instead […]

December 1, 2025 119

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Thepa reinstated as EMPD spokesperson

The City of Ekurhuleni has reinstated, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, as the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). The decision comes a few days after Thepa gave a chilling testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, detailing alleged corruption within the metro. She told the commission she had been forcibly removed from her position and was nearly assassinated after exposing alleged wrongdoing involving EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius […]

November 17, 2025 65

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Madlanga Commission | EMPD official says her life was threatened after exposing alleged corruption

It was an emotional day at the Madlanga Commission, where the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Head of Media and Public relations, Kelebogile Thepa, revealed that she was almost assassinated after exposing alleged corruption involving Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi. Thepa testified that she had alerted the EMPD about a media enquiry that raised concerns about the department’s blue-light saga — a disclosure she believes placed her and others under the "threatening, […]

November 14, 2025 190

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IPID report flagged alleged misconduct by EMPD’s Mkhwanazi: Nciza

Former Ekurhuleni Human Resources director, Xolani Nciza, says the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) released a report containing damning allegations against Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi shortly before his appointment as deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). The IPID report recommended that an internal disciplinary process be instituted and be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Nciza said there is sufficient evidence for Mkhwanazi to face disciplinary action […]

November 13, 2025 72 1