Four arrests in 2026: Julius Mkhwanazi’s legal troubles explained
· The South African
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested four times this year.
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The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested him on Wednesday, 5 August, over the 2022 murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
The latest arrest adds to a growing list of criminal cases against the senior metro police officer. He now faces allegations of corruption, fraud, robbery and murder.
Here’s a timeline of the cases.
5 August: Emmanuel Mbense murder
IPID arrested Mkhwanazi and four co-accused on Wednesday.
The State alleges the group abducted, tortured and murdered Emmanuel Mbense in April 2022 before dumping his body at Spaarwater Dam in Duduza.
Witnesses who testified before the Madlanga Commission alleged Mkhwanazi ordered those involved to dispose of Mbense’s body.
The State charged him with murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The Brakpan Magistrate’s Court is expected to hear the matter on Thursday.
17 July: R14.9 million precious stones case
IPID arrested Mkhwanazi again on 17 July.
Prosecutors allege he helped plan a fake police operation at a property in Killarney in February 2023. They allege the operation enabled the theft of precious stones worth about R14.9 million.
Police tracked Mkhwanazi to Kensington, Johannesburg, where they arrested him.
Former EMPD officer Keisha-Leigh Stols, suspended EMPD officer Adrian Mackenzie and a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer known publicly as Witness K also face charges.
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court granted Mkhwanazi R5 000 bail.
He denies the allegations.
9 July: Ekurhuleni corruption case
The Commission-Recommended Task Team arrested Mkhwanazi alongside suspended Ekurhuleni legal services head Adv Kemi Behari, former city manager Imogen Mashazi and suspended human resources head Linda Gxasheka.
The State charged the four with fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Prosecutors allege they interfered with governance and disciplinary processes at the City of Ekurhuleni. The charges followed allegations aired before the Madlanga Commission.
The Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted Mkhwanazi and Behari R50 000 bail and imposed strict bail conditions.
All four accused deny the allegations.
18 April: Court impersonation case
Police arrested Mkhwanazi at his home on 18 April.
The State alleges he and suspended Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla paid R400 000 to a third party to impersonate Lerutla in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecutors allege the scheme allowed Lerutla to skip a court appearance on a speeding charge while attending a job interview.
The court granted Mkhwanazi R30 000 bail.
He denies the allegations.
The cases continue
The courts have not yet ruled on any of the four cases.
Several investigations followed allegations heard by the Madlanga Commission. Some accused also appear in more than one case.
Mkhwanazi has denied wrongdoing in the matters against him.