Julius Mkhwanazi Faces Fresh Murder Charges
By: Saneliso Mlambo
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested once again, this time in connection with the 2022 murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
Mkhwanazi and four other suspects were arrested following an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). They are accused of allegedly murdering Mbense before dumping his body in a river in an attempt to conceal the crime.
The latest arrest adds to Mkhwanazi’s growing legal troubles since the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry began exposing alleged criminality within law enforcement. At the time of his latest arrest, Mkhwanazi was already out on bail in several unrelated criminal cases, including allegations of fraud, corruption, defeating the ends of justice and a staged police operation linked to the theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million. He has denied wrongdoing in those matters, which remain before the courts.
Mkhwanazi’s latest arrest marks another significant development in a series of criminal cases involving the suspended senior metro police official. The murder case is expected to proceed through the courts as investigations continue.
The Mbense murder case has featured prominently during proceedings before the Madlanga Commission, where witnesses alleged that members of law enforcement were involved in the businessman’s abduction, torture and murder before his body was dumped in a river.
The accused are expected to appear before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.