Staff Reporter | Ekurhuleni, 5 August 2026
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested for a fourth time, this time alongside four co-accused in connection with the 2022 murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense and its subsequent cover-up. The arrests were carried out on Wednesday by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which said the suspects — drawn from the EMPD, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and one private citizen — face charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
According to IPID, the group is accused of playing a role in Mbense’s death, the dumping of his body at Spaarwater Dam in Duduza, Nigel, and failing to report the crime. The suspects were taken to the Brakpan police station and are expected to appear in court on Thursday.
The Latest Arrest
Mbense, a businessman who had allegedly been implicated in a warehouse robbery, is said to have died on 15 April 2022 after being tortured by police and EMPD officers while in custody. Testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry — delivered by Marius van der Merwe, previously known only as “Witness D” before he was killed in December 2025 — implicated Mkhwanazi in a plot to dispose of Mbense’s body after the assault. Van der Merwe testified that a plastic bag had repeatedly been held over Mbense’s face, and that he had tried to bribe officers with R500,000 in cash found in his possession.
This is the fourth time in as many months that Mkhwanazi has faced criminal charges. He remains out on bail in each of the earlier matters and is also understood to be the subject of ongoing internal disciplinary proceedings within the EMPD.
Background: A Pattern of Arrests
Mkhwanazi’s legal troubles have mounted steadily since earlier this year, running in parallel with damaging testimony he gave before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption within the EMPD. A timeline of the key events is set out below.
| Date | Development |
| April 2022 | Emmanuel Mbense allegedly tortured to death by SAPS, EMPD and civilian associates; his body is later dumped in a dam near Duduza, Nigel. |
| Late 2025 | Madlanga Commission of Inquiry begins hearing evidence of a “rogue operation” within the EMPD, including allegations linking Mkhwanazi to robbery, murder, corruption and kidnapping. |
| December 2025 | Witness “D” (later identified as Marius van der Merwe), who had testified about the Mbense case, is killed. |
| 18–20 April 2026 | Arrest #1 — Mkhwanazi is arrested by the SAPS Madlanga Commission Task Team on charges of fraud, corruption and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice, and appears at the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court. |
| 18 July 2026 | Arrest #2 — Mkhwanazi is named the fifth suspect arrested in connection with the R14.9-million precious stones heist in Killarney (2023), after CCTV evidence reportedly shows an EMPD officer handing minerals to him. |
| July 2026 | Arrest #3 — A further arrest follows, again linked to the precious stones/corruption matters, taking his running total of arrests to three in three months. |
| 5 August 2026 | Arrest #4 — IPID arrests Mkhwanazi and four co-accused (EMPD, SAPS and a private citizen) on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice, directly linked to Mbense’s death and its cover-up. |
Other Outstanding Allegations
Beyond the murder and precious-stones matters, Mkhwanazi faces a broader web of allegations that have emerged largely through his testimony at the Madlanga Commission:
- The unlawful facilitation of blue-light installations on vehicles belonging to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, without authorisation from the City of Ekurhuleni.
- Approval of 55 allegedly irregular promotions of directors, superintendents and inspectors within the EMPD.
- The alleged kidnapping of EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa, which he has denied.
- A warning from the Commission over alleged inconsistencies in his sworn testimony and claims he sought to mislead proceedings when requesting a postponement.
Mkhwanazi has consistently denied wrongdoing across the various matters and has distanced himself from the murder allegations in particular. He is currently suspended from his post as EMPD deputy chief pending the outcome of the criminal cases and internal disciplinary proceedings.
What Happens Next
Mkhwanazi and his four co-accused in the murder matter are expected to appear in court on Thursday. IPID has indicated that its investigation into Mbense’s death and its cover-up is ongoing, while the National Prosecuting Authority is still considering a decision on related charges. Further developments are expected as the Madlanga Commission continues its work and as the various criminal matters against Mkhwanazi proceed through the courts.
