Julius Mkhwanazi Expected Back In Court Over Mbhense Murder
Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused are expected to appear at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in connection with the 2022 death of businessman Emmanuel Mbhense.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is expected to return to the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he and five co-accused face murder and defeating the ends of justice charges.
The charges relate to the death of businessman Emmanuel Mbhense in April 2022.
The case has previously taken an unexpected turn in court, with Mkhwanazi arrested by Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) officers during his last appearance. That arrest concerned a separate investigation involving the alleged illegal installation of blue lights on vehicles reportedly linked to businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Allegations Surrounding Mbhense’s Death
According to the supplied material, police officers allegedly went to Mbhense’s home to interrogate him before his death.
A statement written by the late Marius van der Merwe and read in court stated that Mbhense died from blunt-force trauma to the head and suffocation after allegedly being tortured with a plastic bag.
The circumstances described in the statement form part of the evidence presented in the murder case and remain allegations to be tested through the legal process.
Reports cited in the supplied material further allege that Mkhwanazi instructed police officers to dispose of Mbhense’s body by throwing it into a dam after he had been tortured to death.
Separate Blue-Light Case
Mkhwanazi’s previous court appearance also drew attention after IPID officers arrested him inside the court in connection with the separate blue-light investigation.
That matter concerns allegations that blue lights were illegally installed on vehicles allegedly belonging to Matlala.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: State Will Not Join Separate Cases Against Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi
The arrest occurred while Mkhwanazi was appearing in the Mbhense murder case, linking the two investigations in the circumstances of his previous court appearance, although they concern separate allegations.
Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused remain before the court on the murder and defeating the ends of justice charges relating to Mbhense’s death.
The allegations against the accused have not been established as facts and remain subject to the court process.
