Mkhwanazi grilled for allegedly running kidnapping, extortion racket within EMPD

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has faced tough questions at the Madlanga Commission for allegedly running a kidnapping and extortion racket within the department.

Witnesses at the commission have accused Mkhwanazi of having a “rogue unit” with an off-the-books operation within the EMPD.

Several officers in this alleged unit are currently being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for murder, kidnapping and extortion.

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In April 2022, EMPD officers, along with South African Police Service (SAPS) officials and private security guards, allegedly tortured a robbery suspect to death and later dumped his body at a lake to cover it up.

In February 2023, two EMPD officers crossed the municipal boundary line to investigate a case in Johannesburg that was never documented.

Instead, a civilian accused the two EMPD officers of stealing his precious stones worth R14 million.

In both incidents, the same officers were implicated, along with Mkhwanazi.

Evidence leader Mahlape Sello asked Mkhwanazi about suspicious payments of about R100,000 he received from someone he said was his informant.

“I am suggesting that is a financial benefit you derive from what I call this hijacking racket that the four of you ran, yourself, Constable Stols, Mackenzie and Hanekom.”

Mkhwanazi has denied the existence of this racket. He will return to the stand on Thursday.