Madlanga Commission | Close to 300 EMPD officers had criminal records but Brig. Mkhwanazi’s unit refused vetting

EMPD acting deputy chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi and his team of officers refused to undergo the annual vetting process, after 275 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers were found to have criminal records in 2022, while 100 others were awaiting trial.

This was revealed by retired EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies, who testified before the Madlanga Commission that a criminal record verification process launched in 2022 uncovered widespread criminality within the metro police ranks, only to be suddenly stopped by city officials.

According to Spies, of the 3,762 EMPD officers listed in the vetting process, 3,174 had no criminal records, 275 were found to have previous convictions, 100 were awaiting trial, and 211 officers failed to submit fingerprints.

The crimes included assault, theft, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence, while 15 officers were facing murder charges.

Spies told the commission that the vetting process was halted before completion and that a significant number of officers under Mkhwanazi’s specialised unit refused to comply.

They argued that submitting fingerprints for criminal record checks was unlawful and refused to participate.

Despite a meeting with the city’s human resources department, the officers and Mkhwanazi’s entire unit were never vetted.

According to Spies, the refusal meant that a large group of armed officers continued serving without proper background checks.

“This posed a serious risk to public safety and undermined the credibility of the EMPD.”

Meanwhile, witnesses, suspended EMPD chief, Jabulani Mapiyeye and the retired former deputy chief, Revo Spies, told the commission about the alleged Mkhwanazi’s conduct in the department.

Mkhwanazi was allegedly leading a SWAT team that was involved in theft, robbery, murder and extortion.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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