Julius Mkhwanazi granted bail in blue lights case, remains in custody on murder charge - IOL

Julius Mkhwanazi granted R10,000 bail in blue-light case but remains in custody.

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted bail in connection with the alleged illegal installation of blue lights.

Mkhwanazi together with MPD Fleet Manager Chris Steyn were each granted R10,000 bail in the Germiston Magistrates Court on Monday.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Lizzy Suping Steyn was granted bail on August 28.

The two EMPD officers and businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala were arrested on August 27 and are facing charges of fraud and corruption.

However, Matlala opted not to apply for bail.

Despite being granted bail in the fraud and corruption matter, Mkhwanazi will remain in custody pending the outcome of a separate bail application relating to the alleged murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense.

Suping said the judgment in that bail application is expected at the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 15.

The matter forms part of investigations into alleged corruption and criminal activities involving members of the EMPD.

Mkhwanazi also appeared in court for fraud and corruption alongside the former municipal manager Imogen Mashazi, former human resources executive Linda Gxasheka and the city's head of legal services, advocate Kemi Behari.

The charges relate to an alleged plan to stop disciplinary proceedings against Mkhwanazi after internal investigators and IPID recommended that he face action over the controversial blue light saga.

Both IPID and Ekurhuleni's internal investigators concluded that disciplinary proceedings should be instituted.

Instead, the state alleged, the process was deliberately brought to a halt.

Court papers claim Mashazi instructed Gxasheka and Behari to withdraw the disciplinary proceedings, effectively shielding Mkhwanazi from accountability.