Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and four co-accused are expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Thursday following their arrest by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). They face charges including murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The charges relate to the alleged murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense, who disappeared in April 2022 after police raided his home in Brakpan. His family only became aware of the alleged circumstances surrounding his death after evidence emerged during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The latest court appearance marks another chapter in a series of criminal cases involving Mkhwanazi, who has previously been arrested in several high-profile matters but has remained out of custody.
Julius Mkhwanazi Faces Schedule 6 Murder Charge
The Julius Mkhwanazi case carries a Schedule 6 murder charge, meaning he and his co-accused will have to convince the court that exceptional circumstances exist before they can be granted bail.
The State is expected to oppose any bail application. In two of Mkhwanazi’s three previous criminal cases, prosecutors did not oppose his release, while in the Boksburg matter involving Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, the court granted bail despite the State’s objections.
Mkhwanazi and the four other accused now face allegations of murdering Mbense and defeating the ends of justice.
Madlanga Commission Testimony Put Emmanuel Mbense Case In Spotlight
The Emmanuel Mbense case gained national attention after testimony before the Madlanga Commission by the late Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D. During his evidence, he admitted taking part in the assault on Mbense and implicated members of the SAPS, the EMPD and private civilians in the alleged torture, murder and disposal of Mbense’s body.
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Van der Merwe’s testimony revealed that Mbense’s body was allegedly dumped at Spaarwater Dam after his death. It was also the first time Mbense’s family learned what had allegedly happened to the father of five.
Evidence presented to the commission suggested that as many as 12 people were involved in the incident, although four of those individuals have since died.
Julius Mkhwanazi Continues To Face Multiple Legal And Disciplinary Battles
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The Julius Mkhwanazi court appearance is the fourth criminal case involving the suspended EMPD deputy chief. He has previously appeared before the courts in the R14.9 million precious stones theft case, the blue lights saga and a traffic fraud matter.
In addition to the criminal proceedings, Mkhwanazi remains the subject of an internal EMPD disciplinary process. Two of his co-accused in the precious stones theft case, Kemi Behari and Linda Gxasheka, have already been dismissed from the metro police department.
