By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has used his appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee to mount a sustained defence against allegations linked to the so-called “blue lights scandal”, insisting repeatedly that no privately owned vehicles were ever fitted with blue lights or unlawfully deployed under EMPD authority.
Led by evidence leader advocate Bongiwe Mkhize on Thursday, Mkhwanazi framed his suspension as punishment for “something that never happened”, arguing that the controversy around four vehicles linked to businessman and accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had been distorted into a narrative of corruption and capture.
“There were no blue lights,: Mkhwanazi told the committee repeatedly, saying he did not have the authority to authorise blue lights or branding and that none were fitted by the City of Ekurhuleni or the EMPD.
According to his testimony, the four Cat VIP vehicles were in the process
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