EMPD drug enforcement + criminal-records vetting

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.

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.

Chief Mapiyeye issued a directive requiring annual criminal record verification for all EMPD employees, invoking relevant legislation.

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.

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.

Julius Mkhwanazi approached Chris Steyn of CAT VIP about donating vehicles to EMPD, leading to vehicle registration attempts. The donation was never formally approved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Julius Mkhwanazi was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police effective 1 December 2023, despite pending disciplinary proceedings and an adverse IPID report.

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.

An internal vetting report of Major General Modondo was found under someone's door and was in possession of others, containing sensitive personal information.

The vetting of General Khumalo and General Madondo was questioned, with allegations that the process was fast-tracked and potentially fraudulent. An investigation was authorized.

An investigation was authorized into the Criminal Intelligence Unit's bypassing of vetting processes and failure to apply for top secret clearances.

The IDAC is investigating the manipulation of security vetting processes that led to the unlawful issuing of security clearances within Crime Intelligence, including for senior officials.

High-ranking police officials allegedly manipulated security vetting processes to unduly benefit civilians, including the irregular vetting application for Mrs. Mokwele. Brigadier Ncube misrepresented that Mokwele had applied on the e-Vetting system, and instructed her to submit a vetting application before receiving a conditional appointment letter, violating the proper process.

The appointment of Brigadier Mokwele is alleged to have involved non-compliance with security vetting requirements. Mrs. Mokwele could not use the e-Vetting system, yet her vetting was captured on the system, and the selection panel instructed her to submit a vetting application before receiving a conditional appointment letter, contrary to prescribed procedure.