Only ‘Blue light saga’ shows progress among 7 EMPD probes: Mapiyeye

EMPD Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye is giving evidence before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria on November 7, 2025.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that of the seven EMPD criminal investigations, the only real progress was in the so-called blue light saga.

Mapiyeye says he met with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Executive Director Jennifer Dikeledi in March 2023 to address the backlog of cases, but after his suspension in September 2024, a new case of kidnapping, theft and extortion involving six Drug and Enforcement Officers in Boksburg emerged.

Mapiyeye says his deputy Julius Mkhwanazi was appointed despite the interview panel not recommending him.

He has returned to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria.

Mapiyeye says Mkhwanazi was one of two shortlisted candidates for the position but he has never seen his assessment results.

He was also accused of having links to businessman and suspected criminal cartel member Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

Mapiyeye says, “I next saw Brigadier Mkwanazi with the new insignia, georgettes of the rank of a deputy chief of police. During the first week of December, I remember we were at a roadblock and he came wearing the new ranks of a deputy chief of police. I did not inquire from him how he achieved this rank at first, the panel did not recommend him for appointment and secondly neither did I, as a chief of police, conferred the rank on him.”