Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has accused Madlanga Commission evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello of being biased against him, following sustained questioning over his relationship with private security companies and Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk.
The commission adjourned proceedings on Wednesday afternoon after Sello repeatedly challenged Mkhwanazi’s explanation for allowing private security figures access to information linked to the EMPD’s truck-hijacking unit.
“Why are you proposing to offer to private companies information obtained by EMPD on hijacked trucks so that they can charge 10 percent from the owner of the stock?” Sello asked.
Responded Mkhwanazi: “Your understanding is wrong, I do not agree with it. I have tried to explain it and I cannot convince you. You are biased to your witnesses, that’s why you don’t even want me to peruse or present something.”
Mkhwanazi denied any improper arrangement, saying security companies often recovered stolen goods and claimed fees from owners independently of the EMPD.
Discussing a truck-hijacking WhatsApp group, which included both police officers and private security personnel, Mkhwanazi maintained that it was an open and innocent group that assisted in crime fighting.
“It is not a scheme, it is a crime prevention group that all law enforcement officers and security companies can participate in. Anyone can add any person that he knows, whether security company or police officer,” he said.
Asked who had added Van Wyk to the WhatsApp group, Mkhwanazi said he could not remember.
“We’ve got many groups, I don’t even remember. We’ve got many groups that have different administrators, I would be lying if I said I knew the name,” he said.
The commission also questioned why Van Wyk required a marked police-style vehicle.
Mkhwanazi said that police officers had communication channels unavailable to private security companies and that a marked vehicle would allow Van Wyk to be recognised when attending crime scenes.
“When you arrive at a crime scene with an unmarked vehicle, there are challenges,” Mkhwanazi said.
He told the commission the truck-hijacking unit had been established following a management meeting and that a request had been made to Deputy Chief Goodman Mzolo.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi questioned whether there wasn’t any council resolution approving the specialised unit.
Mkhwanazi acknowledged there was no such record, adding that the truck-hijacking unit had since been dissolved.
Proceedings adjourned after Mkhwanazi complained that the commission had taken his passport, saying social media posts incorrectly suggested he would be deported.
Meanwhile, controversial businessman Suleiman Carrim will no longer appear before the commission on Thursday after his legal team informed the commission that he was unwell.
Carrim had been scheduled to resume his testimony before the commission after previously postponing his evidence because of ill health.
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