By Johnathan Paoli
The alleged blue-lights deal involving suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and municipal fleet manager Chris Steyn returns to the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
For Matlala and Steyn, the appearance is expected to focus on further investigations into allegations that private vehicles belonging to Matlala’s security company were given the appearance and privileges of official Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department vehicles.
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For Mkhwanazi, Friday also brings a separate corruption case involving allegations that senior Ekurhuleni officials helped shield him from disciplinary action.
The blue-lights case has already exposed an alleged overlap between private security interests and municipal policing.
The National Prosecuting Authority previously confirmed that the three face six counts of corruption, one of fraud and one of defeating the administration of justice.
Matlala is also before the court in his capacity as a representative of three companies implicated in the case, CAT VIP Protection, Medicare 24 and Black AK Trading.
The allegations stem from an investigation that began in February 2023 after the EMPD received a media enquiry about the alleged use of municipal vehicles by CAT VIP Protection, a private security company owned by Matlala.
According to the NPA, Mkhwanazi, in his role as EMPD deputy chief, allegedly drafted a memorandum of understanding between the metro police and CAT VIP Protection without the required municipal approval.
It alleges Mkhwanazi and Steyn then arranged for several CAT VIP vehicles to be registered as part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality fleet without proper authorisation, while representing that a valid agreement existed between the parties.
Four of those vehicles were allegedly fitted with blue lights and sirens.
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The prosecution further alleges that, once internal and Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigations began, the accused facilitated the deregistration of the four vehicles and their return to CAT VIP Protection in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
The NPA also claims that Mkhwanazi received payments totalling R70,000 from companies associated with Matlala in connection with the alleged unlawful registration of the vehicles and the issuing of EMPD peace officer appointment cards to Matlala and people linked to him.
Mkhwanazi was granted R10,000 bail in the blue-lights case on 14 September. Steyn was previously granted R10,000 bail, while Matlala elected not to apply for bail and remains in custody.
The case has also featured prominently in evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where allegations surrounding Matlala’s relationship with police and metro police officials have received extensive scrutiny.
Mkhwanazi’s legal troubles have multiplied in recent months.
He was also arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Brakpan businessman Emmanuel Mbense and faces a separate case relating to a R14 million heist involving precious stones in Killarney.
Matlala is also facing a Johannesburg High Court case involving attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal firearms and money laundering; corruption charges linked to the R228 million Medicare24 SAPS health tender; and a separate fraud and forgery case over an alleged R95,000-a-month Waterkloof property lease, in which his bail application is due to be heard on 14 and 15 October.
