By Johnathan Paoli
The lawyer for suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has challenged the State’s murder case against his client, arguing that he was not at the scene when businessman Emmanuel Mbense was allegedly assaulted and killed.
Appearing in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Mkhwanazi’s lawyer, Peter Wilkins, challenged the State’s reliance on common purpose to link his client to the alleged murder.
Wilkins put it to Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) lead investigator Nomsa Masuku that there had been no prior agreement involving Mkhwanazi to rob, assault and kill Mbense.
The defence also pointed out that the charge sheet made no reference to such an agreement and questioned why an alleged prior meeting only emerged after Wilkins objected to Mkhwanazi facing a murder charge.
“I put it to you that the reason why the State does not mention a prior meeting at which
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