JOHANNESBURG (Azat TV) – The Johannesburg Labour Court has dismissed an urgent application by the union MECSU to halt disciplinary proceedings against suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi. The ruling, delivered on March 23, 2026, removes the final legal barriers preventing the municipality from holding Mkhwanazi accountable for 13 charges, including fraud, gross dishonesty, and gross negligence.
Legal Path Cleared for EMPD Disciplinary Hearing
The union’s attempt to stall the process was predicated on the argument that the municipality lacked the authority to pursue misconduct charges related to an employment contract that concluded in 2023. However, the court rejected this premise, finding that the employment relationship between Mkhwanazi and the City of Ekurhuleni had remained continuous and uninterrupted. By dismissing the application, the court has effectively affirmed the municipality’s right to conduct internal disciplinary oversight, regardless of the timeline of the alleged misconduct.
Details of the Charges Against Mkhwanazi
Mkhwanazi faces scrutiny stemming from findings of the Madlanga commission of inquiry, which has been investigating allegations of political interference and systemic corruption. The charge sheet against the deputy chief centers on a memorandum of agreement with CAT VIP Security, owned by Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. According to documents, Mkhwanazi allegedly facilitated the registration of four private vehicles owned by the security company on the eNatis system as official City of Ekurhuleni assets between December 2022 and January 2023.
Investigators claim the registration of these vehicles cost the municipality R2,218 in wasteful expenditure. Furthermore, the charges highlight that these vehicles were operated without mandatory safety vetting or clearance. Reports indicate that bodyguards utilizing these vehicles were allegedly provided with official letters permitting them to bypass police roadblocks without being searched, under the pretext that the city maintained a formal partnership with the private security firm.
Implications for Municipal Accountability
The court’s decision is viewed as a significant milestone in efforts to restore the integrity of the EMPD. Beyond the immediate disciplinary hearing, the Madlanga commission has recommended that Mkhwanazi be subjected to a full criminal investigation to determine the extent of his role in the alleged misuse of municipal systems. With the labour court ruling, the municipality is now expected to proceed with the formal hearing, where Mkhwanazi must address the allegations of dishonesty that have shadowed his tenure.
The court’s refusal to grant an interdict underscores a strict judicial stance against using legal challenges as a shield to delay internal accountability, signaling that municipalities possess the necessary authority to investigate past conduct even when employment contracts are subject to transition or renewal.