Mkhwanazi Pushes Back As R14 Million Precious Stones Case Unfolds At Madlanga Inquiry

A high-stakes inquiry into a controversial police operation has taken another twist, with suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi firmly rejecting claims that place him at the centre of a R14 million precious stones theft case.

Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Mkhwanazi challenged allegations that he was present during a 2023 operation in Johannesburg, even as investigators and fellow officers offered sharply different accounts of what happened.

Conflicting Versions Of A 2023 Operation

At the heart of the matter is a joint law enforcement operation that was meant to crack down on suspects accused of selling fake stones online and scamming unsuspecting buyers.

Mkhwanazi told the commission that he had authorised the deployment of officers to Edenvale and Johannesburg following a complaint linked to fraudulent activity on social media. According to his version, he later visited the area after being informed that officers were still busy with suspects.

But that account quickly came under pressure.

Statements from EMPD officers Kasher Leigh-Stolls and Adrian McKenzie painted a very different picture. Both described being contacted directly by a Johannesburg Metro Police Department member and responding to a case involving suspected illegal lithium sales in Rosebank. Neither officer mentioned receiving instructions from Mkhwanazi.

Investigation Tightens Around Officers

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is currently probing Leigh-Stolls and McKenzie in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones valued at R14 million.

Senior investigator Thulani Magagula told the commission that McKenzie had submitted an additional statement earlier this year confirming that Mkhwanazi was present at the scene. That claim is central to the case, and one Mkhwanazi strongly disputes.

He told the inquiry that video footage would prove he was not there.

Police Records Raise More Questions

Adding another layer of complexity, Warrant Officer Bethuel Mulaudzi from the Rosebank police station testified that there was no official joint operation recorded on the day in question.

According to Mulaudzi, two officers arrived at the station and signed the occurrence book, indicating they were following up on suspects linked to a business robbery in Nigel, not a coordinated multi-agency operation.

This version stands in stark contrast to Mkhwanazi’s explanation of a structured, inter-departmental effort.

A Case Of Rogue Policing

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga raised a critical question during proceedings, suggesting that the officers involved may have been acting independently and outside proper policing channels.

The idea that officers could have been operating on what he described as a “frolic of their own” points to deeper concerns about discipline and oversight within metro police structures.

Mkhwanazi acknowledged the possibility but insisted he had no prior knowledge of such conduct.

Bigger Questions For Policing In South Africa

Beyond the individuals involved, the case highlights ongoing concerns about coordination between law enforcement agencies in South Africa, particularly in high-value investigations involving organised crime and fraud.

In a country where scams linked to fake goods and online schemes continue to rise, operations like these are meant to restore public confidence. Instead, this case has exposed gaps in communication, accountability, and record-keeping.

Mkhwanazi also told the commission that his department had never reported joint operations to IPID, a statement that raises further questions about oversight protocols.

What Happens Next

The Madlanga Commission is expected to continue unpacking the case as it resumes hearings, with investigators still working to reconcile the conflicting testimonies.

For now, the version of events remains contested, with key details hanging in the balance and the spotlight firmly on how the operation was conducted and who, if anyone, crossed the line.

{Source:IOL}

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