By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi defended his role in a controversial Johannesburg operation targeting alleged fake gemstone scams, and denied kidnapping EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa, calling the claims “pure lies” and a “planned character assassination”.
In a supplementary statement to the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, Mkhwanazi said the February 8, 2023 operation involved EMPD, Gauteng provincial authorities and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and was aimed at suspects accused of defrauding the public by selling fake stones online.
Two officers, Aiden McKenzie and Kersha-Lee Stols, have been implicated in the alleged theft of semi-precious stones worth R14 million.
Mkhwanazi said the operation was urgent and executed without formal requests or documentation.
“There was no formal request… it was an issue of hours,” he said.
He acknowledged he had no direct contact with JMPD officers and that no formal records of the deployment were kept. A telephonic debrief followed, and he said he did not verify the paperwork.
Mkhwanazi confirmed he travelled to Johannesburg but remained in his vehicle, accompanied by an EMPD officer and Gauteng Traffic deputy chief Gerald Maseko. He said he could not account for the handling of the stones.
The commission previously heard from IPID Assistant Director Thulani Magagula that no JMPD officers were identified on CCTV footage from the scene.
Separately, Mkhwanazi denied allegations that he kidnapped Thepa, accusing her of fabricating claims and misleading the commission.
“I deny the allegations… the story of kidnapping is pure lies,” he said, adding he did not own the vehicle allegedly linked to the incident.
He also challenged Thepa’s testimony, including her emotional account, and rejected the plausibility of the claims.
Mkhwanazi further denied that the EMPD Drug Enforcement Unit operated as a rogue unit under his control, though he acknowledged that all officers reported to him in his capacity as deputy chief.
Magagula earlier testified that six officers from the unit are on trial for allegedly extorting R120,000 from a Congolese businessman in Boksburg.
Mkhwanazi is expected to continue his testimony on Wednesday.
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