The legal battle surrounding suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi took a critical turn on Monday as the Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted him R10,000 bail in the high-profile blue lights scandal.
Despite this successful application, Mkhwanazi will not taste freedom just yet, as he remains incarcerated due to a pending bail judgment in a separate Schedule 6 murder investigation.
Magistrate Trevor Classen delivered the bail ruling in Germiston following arguments presented by the defense and the state. In this specific matter, Mkhwanazi is facing eight charges, including six counts of corruption, one count of fraud, and one count of defeating the administration of justice.
The case stems from the alleged unlawful registration of private luxury vehicles under the City of Ekurhuleni’s municipal assets. State prosecutors allege that these vehicles, which belong to CAT VIP Protection Services, were illegally fitted with emergency blue lights to operate under municipal cover.
The security firm is owned by controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is a co-accused in the case alongside Mkhwanazi and City of Ekurhuleni fleet manager Chris Steyn.
While Steyn previously secured his release on R10,000 bail, Matlala remains behind bars at a maximum-security facility in Pretoria on a litany of separate charges, including attempted murder and corruption.
The state did not oppose bail for Mkhwanazi in this instance, citing that the alleged offenses took place years ago and there was minimal risk of the accused evading trial or tampering with evidence.
The blue lights case has been officially postponed to October 9, 2026, giving legal teams time to review the contents of the state’s docket.