Julius Mkhwanazi under fire over “Cat” Matlala’s blue-light vehicle scandal

JULIUS Mkhwanazi, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner, came under fire at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday over his relationships with companies linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman with alleged ties to criminal activities.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

Mkhwanazi, currently on suspension, has been accused of facilitating unauthorised agreements, including memoranda of understanding (MOUs), with Matlala’s companies, Medicare24 and CAT VIP Security, allowing private vehicles to be registered as municipal vehicles and fitted with blue lights.

The commission heard that the municipality had no formal agreement with the companies to establish these relationships.

Mkhwanazi said Mike van Wyk, a Medicare24 director, drafted the MOU between the company and the municipality.

Van Wyk, who co-directed Medicare24 with Matlala, allegedly authored the draft MOU, which proposed strategic partnership and assistance to EMPD members injured on duty.

Mkhwanazi said the motive by Medicare24 for entering into a MOU with the city and donating vehicles to EMPD was likely for marketing and publicity purposes.

Evidence leader Advocate Sello Mehlape SC, however, put it to Mkhwanazi that a clause in the MOU stated: “EMPD will assist with the registration of vehicles under EMPD as official vehicles and we will be permitted to use blue and red lights to respond for and on behalf of EMPD”