Mkhwanazi's claims against metro police boss

Allegations rocks Ekurhuleni Metro police leadership

- RAPULA MOATSHE

DEPUTY chief of police at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Major-General Julius Mkhwanazi, has been fingered in a scandal involving businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala for registering Matlala’s vehicles under the municipality and fitting them with blue lights.

This transpired during a testimony by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria yesterday.

The commission, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, aims to investigate the allegations of corruption, political interference and protection of criminal networks in the criminal justice system.

According to Mkhwanazi’s testimony, the metro police officer's superior (Julius Mkhwanazi), who flagged the alleged wrongdoing by reporting it to the municipality, was suspended.

He said the officer (Julius Mkhwanazi) allegedly helped Matlala register his vehicles under the municipality, making them appear as municipal vehicles, using Ekurhuleni’s funds.

When checked on the system, Mkhwanazi said, the vehicles fitted with blue lights show up as belonging to the municipality, rather than Matlala.

“In terms of the Traffic Act the only authorised bodies to be able to drive with blue lights on the street are law enforcement, which are the SAPS, metro police, traffic police and military police, he said.

Mkhwanazi testified that a report is available regarding a complaint filed by the chief of metro police.