ActionSA in Ekurhuleni is concerned after reports of a whole new tranche of allegations against Julius Mkhwanazi have emerged. Last year, Mkhwanazi returned to work in October after an investigation into him giving blue lights to his friends was mysteriously dropped.
Brigadier Mkhwanazi is the Director of Special Services at the EMPD, making him a high-ranking and well-paid official of the City of Ekurhuleni. The investigation was supposed to seriously investigate accusations that Brigadier Mkhwanazi was abusing his power and utilising metro vehicles for personal use and that of his friends.
However, new, serious allegations against Mkhwanazi have come from whistleblowers within the department, including soliciting ‘Sex for Jobs’ from female EMPD officers who want to move up the ranks and making it difficult for more qualified officers in the department to get promoted, meaning that ActionSA believes there is a case to reopen the investigation into his conduct.
As a party which believes firmly in the rule of law, we know that all officials are innocent until proven guilty. However, given the fact that the previous investigation was mysteriously halted, and new allegations have since emerged, ActionSA will be writing to the Executive Mayor, Doctor Xhakaza, as well as the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Sivuyile Ngodwana, as well as the MMC for Community Safety, Cllr Sizakele Masuku, asking that Mkhwanazi is immediately suspended pending a thorough investigation.
ActionSA will also write to the Speaker of Council requesting that the Council be kept abreast of the investigation and be furnished with the details of the case in order for councillors to provide necessary oversight so that the case is not suddenly dropped again.
By Siyanda Makhubo
