Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi claims he rejected an offer from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to become a State witness in the murder case of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
His lawyer read his bail affidavit into the record at the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Thursday. Mkhwanazi alleges that lead IPID investigator Nomsa Masuku repeatedly approached him to become a Section 204 witness against his co-accused.
Mkhwanazi and five co-accused face charges including murder, robbery and defeating the ends of justice in connection with Mbense’s death. Mbense was allegedly tortured and killed before his body was disposed of at Spaarwater Dam near Nigel. The accused deny involvement in the murder.
Julius Mkhwanazi Says He Was At Scene After Mbense Died
Mkhwanazi claims he was pressured to turn State witness but told investigators he could not provide evidence against his co-accused. He says he was only at the scene for a short time and arrived after Mbense had already died.
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“I have candidly and despite being made such an offer, persistently maintained that I was present at the scene for a brief few minutes, and under the circumstances as related to during before, but therefore could not shed any light whatsoever on the complicity or otherwise of my co-accused and co-suspects.”
Mkhwanazi, Cobus Janse van Rensburg, Bhekokwakhe Sibande, Adrian Mackenzie and Keisha-Leigh Stols all place themselves at the crime scene. They have denied being involved in Mbense’s murder.
State To Call Section 204 Witness In Mbense Murder Trial
The State is expected to call a Section 204 witness when the matter goes to trial. However, prosecutors have not disclosed the identity of the person who may give evidence under Section 204.
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Meanwhile, former Mkhwanazi co-accused in the R14.9 million precious stones case, private security officer Etienne van der Walt, has been named in Stols’ bail affidavit. The affidavit places Van der Walt at the scene where Mbense was allegedly murdered.
Van der Walt is believed to have turned State witness in the precious stones case. He has not been arrested in connection with Mbense’s murder.
