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Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Acting Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.
The registration of vehicles belonging to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala under the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) has come under the spotlight at the Madlanga Commission.
Evidence leader Adv Mahlape Sello has questioned suspended deputy police chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi on how the vehicles were registered when the letter of intention from Matlala was not even signed.
Yesterday, Mkhwanazi admitted that he had no authority to conclude an agreement between the EMPD and CAT VIP Protection Services.
While he also distanced himself from the fitting of blue lights on Matlala’s vehicles, evidence leader put it to Mkhwanazi that he facilitated the process.
Evidence leader: “I then must put it to you that you say you did not fit the vehicles with the blue lights.”
Mkhwanazi: “Yes yes yes.”
Evidence leader: “But you must admit that you facilitated that process though the registration of those vehicles in the municipality’s name in circumstances where the municipality didn’t have control over those cars.”
Sello adds Mkhwanazi will not be able to finish his testimony today, and requested that the commission deal with one part of Mkhwanazi’s evidence, then revert to the planned evidence and postpone to a yet to be determined date.
“Commissioner Mkhwanazi, deals with a number of issues in his statement, and we will not be able to cover them all today- so we have made an election on how best to progress his evidence- appreciating that he’s unlikely to finish today.”
“We request therefore, to canvass the one issue and thereafter apply that his further testimony be stood down to a date to be determined by the commission. As scheduled thereafter we will then have to return to the next witness [Police Minister Senzo Mchunu], who was scheduled to appear today,” explains Sello.
Meanwhile, ActionSA has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of turning a blind eye to criminality in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Mkhwanazi claims his collaboration with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was above board and senior management, including former Mayor Tania Campbell, were aware of the partnership.
ActionSA Ekurhuleni spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala says, “It is worth noting that Mr Mkhwanazi referred to the then Executive Mayor Alderman Tania Campbell, as a senior political individual that was briefed about the security detail. ActionSA believes, if there is anyone incompetent, and turned a blind eye to this criminality, it is the Democratic Alliance’s councilor alderwoman Tania Campbell.”
“What has been an unfortunate culture in the City of Ekurhuleni, is that the executive has no regard of the highest decision making body. We have seen a number of regrettable decision, like withholding forensic reports, and not present them to council. ActionSA, is the only political party in council, that has lamented this culture,” adds Tshabalala.
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