Thepa tells Madlanga Commission EMPD Chief tried to smear her name

Lieutenant Colonel Thepa testifying at the Madlanga Commission

The Madlanga Commission has heard how suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Deputy police Chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, tried to smear the name of EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa.

Thepa, who is testifying at the Madlanga Commission, was one of the witnesses who assisted IPID in investigating the blue light saga.

She has testified that Mr Xulu, an IPID investigator, informed her that Mkhwanazi had alluded to him that she was a dirty policewoman.

“We had a discussion after losing the phone and he informed me that Brigadier Mkhwanazi told him that I was a dirty cop. I had defeated the ends of justice case that had been registered with my name and I could see how this was about to unfold by going forward.”

Thepa says that Dlamini instructed her to adopt a low profile as spokesperson and refrain from additional media interactions.

Lieutenant Colonel Thepa testifies that Dlamini instructed her to adopt a low profile as spokesperson and refrain from additional media interactions, citing the city manager, referred to as “umama,” being displeased with the media unit’s management of the Julius Mkhwanazi issue. pic.twitter.com/ybFvbsHRsv

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) November 14, 2025