WRAP | ‘I feel so bad, chair’: Mkhwanazi admits taking Matlala’s money, but wants another chance to head EMPD

Suspended Ekurhuleni EMPD acting chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, has admitted to serious lapses in judgment while fiercely denying allegations linking him to criminal conduct, witness intimidation, and police corruption, but hoped for a second chance to lead.

In a testimony punctuated by regret, denial, and mounting tension, Mkhwanazi admitted to accepting money from alleged cartel-linked businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala without proper scrutiny.

He distanced himself from claims of witness links and police abuse, and stunned MPs by revealing that his attorney had been shot a day earlier at Booysen's Magistrate's Court.

He testified before the ad hoc committee on Thursday in Cape Town.

“I feel so bad, chair,” Mkhwanazi told the committee, saying he took the money without conducting any due diligence.

He insisted, however, that the financial assistance did not buy influence, protection or unlawful favours.

“It was a mistake,” he said, repeatedly emphasising that his actions were driven by trust rather than intent to commit wrongdoing.

Mkhwanazi was emphatic in rejecting claims that he fitted blue lights to Matlala’s vehicles or abused his position to provide police privileges.

“I never authorised or installed blue lights on Mr Matlala’s vehicles,” he told MPs, calling the allegation “completely false”.

The hearing took a dramatic turn when Mkhwanazi revealed that his attorney, who had been assisting him throughout the EMPD investigations and even during preparations for the Madlanga Commission, was among those shot on Wednesday at the Booysens Court in Johannesburg.

He described the incident as devastating, saying it underscored the dangerous environment surrounding the matter.

“My family, my kids — this thing has disturbed them,” he said.

“My attorney, who was assisting me with the Madlanga Commission and other matters, was shot the day before while leaving court. I can’t even move out of the house. I’m being seen as the killer police.”

Mkhwanazi also flatly denied knowing “Witness D”, identified in evidence as Marius Van der Merwe, and rejected any suggestion of a relationship between them.

“I do not know Witness D, and he does not know me,” he said.

He confirmed that he visited the crime scene on the morning of Van der Merwe’s death but maintained that his presence was part of his official duties and denied any involvement in the killing or interference with the investigation.

“I went there as a senior officer. There was nothing untoward about my visit,” he told the committee.

Throughout his testimony, Mkhwanazi portrayed himself as the target of an internal campaign to discredit him, accusing senior EMPD officials of fabricating allegations to undermine his leadership.

“Stories are being made up about me,” he said.

According to Mkhwanazi, there were people within EMPD who wanted him out, and they are willing to lie to achieve that.

Mkhwanazi hoped to be given another chance to lead and ensure that he does everything according to the book this time.

MPs pressed him on inconsistencies and the optics of his relationship with Matlala, warning that public trust in law enforcement hinges on accountability at the highest level.

While conceding that his judgment was flawed, Mkhwanazi maintained that there was no criminality in his conduct.

The committee is expected to continue with hearings on Tuesday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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