Commission hears more incriminating evidence against Mkhwanazi

Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi appears before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has played multiple recordings addressed to suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi from businessman Mike van Wyk. Van Wyk is linked to attempted murder accused, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, through Medicare24.

Evidence before the Madlanga Commission has alleged that Van Wyk has also benefitted from municipal resources in the form of blue lights fitted in his person vehicle.

The Madlanga Commission has heard an audio recording from Van Wyk about the installation of blue lights in his private vehicle. The audio recording from Van Wyk was sent to Mkhwanazi asking him if blue and red lights could be fitted on his personal vehicle.

The exchange between the pair adds to mounting evidence implicating Mkhwanazi in alleged misuse of municipal resources.

“Would I be able to put blue and red lights in? … Can we put EMPD at the back of the bakkie? Will you find out for me, please? I’ll really appreciate it, “says Van Wyk.

A video that Van Wyk sent to Mkhwanazi was also played at the commission. The video shows him asking Mkhwanazi about “where are we going” while fanning himself with the money.

Van Wyk, who is addressing Mkhwanazi in the video, tells him that he will spend the money if he does not get back to him.

“Hey Julius, I hope you have a warm day like we have here. You know, it’s warm. This fan of mine is not working so like, I don’t know if it’s because it’s hard. I’m not sure what it’s doing. You know, I have another one. Let me put this one here and try this one. Oh, it’s also hard. I’m going to spend this money neh. Please tell me where we’re going.”

It has also emerged that Van Wyk advised Mkhwanazi on how to draft a Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). The MOUs involved an endless working relationship between the EMPD and Medicare24, Anubis and CAT VIP.

The same MOUs are at the centre of corruption allegations at the EMPD where Mkhwanazi has also been implicated.

Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello has put it to Mkhwanazi that text messages between him and Van Wyk have demonstrated that he (Van Wyk) recommended changes to the MOUs.

“So, I’m saying the letter on the screen and the letter at page 64 are exactly the same. They bear the same date. They are worded in the same terms exactly, except for the following, the letter on the screen is in respect of CATVIP only and the letter in the file we are looking at is in respect of Medicare 24, PTY, and ANABIS. And the second difference is that they then provide different details of the vehicles.”

Mkhwanazi will return to the commission at a date that will be announced by the inquiry.