Julius Mkhwanazi Granted R10,000 Bail In Ekurhuleni ‘Blue Lights’ Case
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been granted R10,000 bail in the so-called blue lights case, but remains in custody over a separate matter in Brakpan.
Mkhwanazi was granted bail by the Germiston Magistrates' Court after facing fraud and corruption charges linked to the alleged unlawful registration of privately owned luxury vehicles as Ekurhuleni municipal assets.
The State did not oppose his bail application. Magistrate Trevor Klassen ruled that releasing Mkhwanazi on bail was in the interests of justice.
Mkhwanazi will, however, remain in custody for the Brakpan matter, where a bail judgment is expected on Tuesday.
Charges Linked To Municipal Vehicles
The charges against Mkhwanazi relate to allegations that he unlawfully authorised private luxury vehicles to be registered as assets belonging to the Ekurhuleni municipality.
The vehicles were owned by Cat Protection Services, a private security company owned by Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who is described in the supplied material as an alleged criminal kingpin.
The allegations form part of a wider investigation into the alleged misuse of municipal resources and corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
Mkhwanazi has been suspended from his position while the criminal proceedings continue.
He is accused alongside Matlala and a third accused, Chris Steyn. The allegations against all the accused remain before the courts and have not been proven.
Court Considers Risk Of Absconding
In granting bail, Klassen said the court had considered several factors, including Mkhwanazi's personal circumstances, the seriousness of the charges, the State's position and the possibility of interference with witnesses or evidence.
"There is no evidence that the accused intends to evade his trial. The accused has a fixed residential address, as set out in his affidavit.
"I have considered the accused’s personal circumstances, the nature and seriousness of the charges that he is facing, the position of the State, the possibility of interference with witnesses or evidence, the risk of abscondment, and the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.”
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The court also considered Mkhwanazi's other pending cases.
According to the court, he has four pending matters in the Boksburg Regional Court, Germiston Magistrates' Court, Johannesburg Regional Court and Brakpan Magistrates' Court.
He has been granted bail in connection with the Boksburg, Germiston and Johannesburg matters.
Trial Set For October
Klassen said he was satisfied that Mkhwanazi had met the required onus for bail.
"I am satisfied that the accused has discharged the required onus. The evidence satisfies me that the interests of justice permit the accused’s release on bail. The bail application therefore succeeds," Klassen said.
The Germiston matter has been postponed to 9 October for trial, with further investigations still under way.
Mkhwanazi's continued detention in the separate Brakpan matter means that the R10,000 bail order does not result in his immediate release.
