CCTV ties EMPD’s Mkhwanazi to copper theft raid - informant killed | Madlanga Commission

Acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, has been implicated in theft after CCTV footage captured him and metro officers at a workshop in Meyerton where they allegedly robbed copper cables, but the informant who exposed them was murdered.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, the retired deputy chief Revo Spies said Jaco Hanekom, who gave him the footage, was killed on the same day that the officers were granted bail during a drive-by shooting.

The footage before the commission showed several EMPD officers led by Mkhwanazi at a workshop where copper cables were allegedly stolen under the guise of a police operation.

The material was provided by the late Jaco Hanekom, an informant who had handed the evidence to Spies.

Spies confirmed that the officers seen in the footage, including Mkhwanazi, were arrested and later released on bail.

“The operation was not recorded in any EMPD files, and there was no lawful seizure of copper,” Spies testified.

“What happened there was theft pure and simple.”

The commission viewed the CCTV footage showing two unmarked EMPD vehicles and a civilian identified only as Etienne, seen working alongside the officers during the alleged raid.

Spies described the civilian’s involvement as “highly irregular and illegal,” emphasising that civilians have no authority to participate in police operations.

According to Spies, the same officers later returned to confiscate the hard drive containing the footage.

However, unknown to them, the informant had already made a copy.

Spies said he subsequently handed the evidence to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.

He further clarified that EMPD has no legal power to inspect or seize copper or second-hand goods, responsibilities that fall under the South African Police Service (SAPS).

One of the implicated officers has since resigned.

Meanwhile, Spies is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday after the commission took an early adjournment on Monday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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