By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has claimed the allegations linking him to the alleged R14.9 million precious stones robbery were fabricated by his co-accused, Madlanga Commission Witness K, after he ended their romantic relationship.
Mkhwanazi made the claims in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday during his bail application.
He and Witness K were arrested on Friday in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million from a property in Killarney, Johannesburg, in February 2023.
The State alleges the pair orchestrated a bogus law enforcement raid during which six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones were stolen.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
Reading from Mkhwanazi’s affidavit, his counsel, Advocate Shafique Sarlie, told the court that his client denied all the allegations and alleged Witness K falsely implicated him
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