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Retired Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Revo Spies
Retired Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Revo Spies has described a culture of incompetence, factionalism and fear within the department, saying officials who refused to co-operate with Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi’s network were sidelined or victimised.
Spies told the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria that Mkhwanazi’s dual appointment last year as both Head of Community Safety and acting Chief of Police was unlawful and exposed deep governance failures in the City of Ekurhuleni.
He says the environment became intolerable, prompting his early retirement, while his partner – who still works at the Metro, faced irregular workplace procedures.
“He was appointed as the Head of Community Safety and no one was appointed as the acting Chief of Police. So, he effectively occupied two different distinct statutory levels and there’s no Chief of Police. Now, if there is no Chief of Police appointed, because you cannot be appointed to act in two different positions yourself and you cannot appoint yourself to act as something like that. But he kept signing and he kept on saying he’s the Chief of police. And this is to me; it is vicarious liability effects.”
WATCH | Revo Spies shares a recent case where a police officer shot and killed his wife, tried to take his own life, and is now out on parole and back on the job. Spies is discussing the systems in place within the police force. pic.twitter.com/M5pUAwLOWP
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 11, 2025
Meanwhile, the City of Ekurhuleni says Mkhwanazi, has been placed on suspension, effective from Tuesday.
This follows the recommendations of an internal audit investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The City of Ekurhuleni says formal disciplinary proceedings will now follow, in line with applicable labour laws and municipal regulations.
