Johannesburg – Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer, who testified at “Witness K” before the Madlanga Commission, have been granted bail of R5 000 each.
Witness K implicated Mkhwanazi in the 2023 theft of precious stones worth nearly R15million from an apartment in Killarney.
The JMPD officer said Mkhwanazi, with whom she was in a romantic relationship, was in a spot of financial bother and, on hearing about the precious stones from her, masterminded the robbery.
The suspended EMPD deputy chief denies the allegations and insists the seizure of the precious stones was a lawful operation.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the accused face several charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
The pair were arrested, separately, over the weekend and will join the other two suspects in the matter, former EMPD officer Kersha Stoltz and suspended EMPD officer Adriaan McKenzie, who were granted R5 000 bail each on 16 July 2026.
Stoltz and McKenzie have pleaded not guilty, saying they participated in the seizure of the precious stones under orders from their then-superior, Mkhwanazi.
Charges were withdrawn against businessman Etienne van da Walt. Another accused has since died.
The state did not oppose bail.
The next court appearance of all the accused in this matter is 25 August 2026.
