SC0005
EMPD drug enforcement + criminal-records vetting
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department: drug enforcement unit, criminal-records vetting (3,762 members per 2022 database), discipline + employee disclosure issues. CAT VIP and Medicare 24 MOU.
14 events3 contradictions
People in this scheme
Commissioner/Brigadier Mkhwanazi of EMPD14Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi (suspended EMPD/Metr13Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye1Boksburg North case complainant (Congolese nationa1Chris Steyn (fleet manager)1Sandile Khumalo1
Timeline of events
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13 October 2021
Commissioner Mkhwanazi signed an MOU with Medicare 24 to provide free emergency medical services to EMPD members in exchange for vehicle registration and use of blue/red lights. The MOU never received approval beyond EMPD level.
title: JM11 at page 55 is titled as follows, agreement entered into between the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, duly represented by, it makes provision for a name, but currently that is unfilled,
title: Yes.
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16 October 2021
A memorandum of agreement was signed between EMPD and CAT VIP Protection for VIP protection, tactical training, and helicopter support — three days after the Medicare 24 MOU.
heading: headed memorandum of agreement entered into and between the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and CAP VIP Protection
heading: I can see that here. Yes, SC.
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21 December 2021
Chief Mapiyeye issued a directive requiring annual criminal record verification for all EMPD employees, invoking relevant legislation.
content: the opening paragraphs, the first three paragraphs in large part deal with the legislative framework, what the law provides insofar as vetting is concerned
appointed to: South African Police Services Crime Intelligence section has been instructed or appointed to perform the vetting of all Municipal Police Services by the National Police Commissioner
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January 2022
EMPD collected fingerprints from all 3,762 members for criminal record verification. Results showed 275 members with illicit activity and 100 convicted of serious crimes including murder and rape. The process was halted after 2022 due to internal pushback.
agreed: it was then agreed that we will initiate the process where we will at least take all the members’ fingerprints, submit it on a manual process to the South African Police Service and that they will the
start date: the annual vetting process shall start on the 1st of January 2022
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30 March 2022
EMPD used CAT VIP security services at the State of the City Address without proper authority or approval, exposing the informal nature of the CAT VIP relationship.
subject: subject line "Additional security provided requested by EMPD Specialised Services at COCA, SOCA, State of the City Address, 30 March 2022"
contains background: additional security members were deployed by specialised services that is not EMPD officers
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December 2022
Julius Mkhwanazi approached Chris Steyn of CAT VIP about donating vehicles to EMPD, leading to vehicle registration attempts. The donation was never formally approved.
approached chris steyn about donation: Director Mkhwanazi from EMPD came to see me about a donation of vehicles to EMPD
brought documents to steyn: Director Mkhwanazi brought me the documents and vehicles registration documents to me at my office in Primrose
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2 December 2022
EMPD members participated in an operation at Swissport but EMPD had no internal record of their involvement — an early indicator of undocumented operations outside proper command.
involvement in: we are not even listed there
record existence status: Only from the Hawks
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2023
Julius Mkhwanazi refused to undergo security vetting, claiming it was not a condition of his contract. He was supported in this refusal by the city manager.
refusal status: he is refusing to go for vetting as a senior police officer
stated reason: he responded to me and said it is not in his performance contract.
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2 February 2023
Journalist Jeff Wicks sent an enquiry to EMPD about the unauthorised use of blue lights and the relationship with CAT VIP and Matlala, triggering an internal investigation.
content: During or about February 2023, the EMPD received an enquiry from a journalist, Mr Jeff Wicks regarding the use of blue lights in civilian vehicles with the seeming approval of the EMPD. At the time of
stated possession: I have in my possession correspondence under the letterhead of City of Ekurhuleni and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is dated 16 October 2021, and it is signed by Brigadier JD Mkhwanazi of Spe
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11 February 2023
EMPD officers including Brigadier Mkhwanazi conducted an operation in Meyerton — outside EMPD's geographic jurisdiction — involving a civilian. Part of a pattern of undocumented and unauthorised operations.
action at scene: Mkhwanazi, the Brigadier Mkhwanazi at that stage, he climbs out of the right rear side
action at scene: he stands and talks to them and gives instructions to them
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24 February 2023
Julius Mkhwanazi was suspended pending investigation into misconduct including the blue light saga and improper MOUs with Medicare 24 and CAT VIP. The suspension was initially for three months.
suspension date: On the 24th of February, Brigadier Mkhwanazi was placed on suspension with this case of the blue light saga.
misconduct determination date: On the 3rd of March 2023 and based on the outcome of our internal investigation, I determined that the misconduct complaint it was of a serious nature.
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September 2023
IPID delivered a report to the City of Ekurhuleni with findings and recommendations for disciplinary action against Julius Mkhwanazi — covering the MOUs, blue light use, and unauthorised operations.
signed date: Mr Xulu signed that report in 2023 already in September
date: the IPID report is dated October/November 2023
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1 December 2023
Julius Mkhwanazi was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police effective 1 December 2023, despite pending disciplinary proceedings and an adverse IPID report.
appointment date: Julius was appointed on the 1st of December 2023
promotion date: He became Chief of Police in December of 2023
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5 March 2024
EMPD members in an unmarked BMW stopped a complainant in Rosebank — outside EMPD's geographic jurisdiction — consistent with the pattern of unauthorised operations documented throughout the scheme.
alleged conduct: they, being the EMPD officers, abuse their powers by operating outside their jurisdiction
location: operating outside their jurisdiction, i.e., Ekurhuleni
Contradictions linked to this scheme
◎ Likely — AI-assisted, cited
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) / the City — (cross-phrasing)
One claim says EMPD is not even listed in the operation; the other says EMPD was part of it—directly contradictory about same involvement.
◎ Likely — AI-assisted, cited
Commissioner/Brigadier Mkhwanazi of EMPD — (cross-phrasing)
Same suspension event dated 2023-02-24 vs 2025-02-24; both cannot be true for same person/event.
◎ Likely — AI-assisted, cited
Commissioner/Brigadier Mkhwanazi of EMPD — (cross-phrasing)
One says promoted to Deputy Chief, other says became Chief of Police; different ranks for same person cannot both hold.