Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi and a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer known only as Witness K have each been granted R5,000 bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
The pair appeared in court after being arrested in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million from an apartment in Killarney in 2023.
Julius Mkhwanazi And Witness K Granted Bail In Killarney Case
Magistrate Annelise Tlhape delivered the ruling on Tuesday, granting bail of R5,000 to both accused.
Mkhwanazi and Witness K stood side by side in the dock as the court handed down its decision on their bail application.
The criminal case against the pair will continue in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Julius Mkhwanazi Denies Allegations In Precious Stones Case
During final arguments, Mkhwanazi’s lawyer, Shafique Sarlie, told the court that his client posed no flight risk and would not leave the country to evade prosecution.
Sarlie argued that Mkhwanazi had already outlined his defence despite not having access to the full police docket.
[‘Witness K’ Arrested In Alleged R14.9 Million Precious Stones Robbery Linked To Julius Mkhwanazi]
“Mr Mkhwanazi despite not being privy to the docket has fairly and comprehensively set out his defence to the charges being set against him. It’s also important to note that this has not been challenged by the state,” said Sarlie.
Mkhwanazi has maintained that the incident formed part of a legitimate police operation to recover the precious stones.
Witness K Previously Gave Evidence At Madlanga Commission
Witness K previously testified before the Madlanga Commission, where she described the incident as a theft and implicated Mkhwanazi in the operation.
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The allegations made before the commission are central to the criminal case now before the court.
Both accused remain before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court as legal proceedings continue.
