By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala will remain in custody following their appearance in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday, while Ekurhuleni fleet manager Chris Steyn was granted R10,000 bail.
Mkhwanazi’s bail ruling was reserved until 14 September, while Matlala elected to postpone his bail application.
Steyn was released on bail after Magistrate Trevor Classen found that it was in the interests of justice to do so. “The court is satisfied that it is in the interest of justice to permit the release of the accused person on bail. His application for bail is granted,” Classen said.
Steyn appeared alongside Matlala and Mkhwanazi, who were served with warrants of arrest on Thursday while they were already before courts in connection with separate matters.
The three accused face multiple charges, including corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice, arising from allegations involving the irregular registration of private vehicles linked to Matlala’s businesses in the City of Ekurhuleni’s municipal fleet and the fitting of some of those vehicles with blue lights and sirens.
The State alleges that vehicles belonging to Cat VIP Protection were registered as municipal vehicles on the basis of an agreement involving the EMPD, despite questions over whether Mkhwanazi had the authority to enter into such an arrangement.
The State did not oppose bail for any of the accused. Prosecutor Advocate Nceba Ntelwa told the court the offence had occurred a long time ago and that Mkhwanazi and Matlala, already in custody in another matter, posed no flight risk.
Classen said there were outstanding issues regarding Mkhwanazi that required further consideration before he could deliver his ruling.
He acknowledged that an accused person has a right to have a bail application finalised promptly, but said Mkhwanazi would not be prejudiced by the delay because he was already being held in connection with another case.
“I’m going to reserve a ruling in respect of accused number one; there are certain aspects of this matter that need further consideration,” Classen said.
“I am further of the view that the accused person, number one, will not suffer prejudice at this juncture, seeing that he in any event is in custody for the pending matter,” he said.
Matlala did not proceed with his bail application on Friday and elected to postpone it while his legal team prepares its case. He remains in custody in connection with separate criminal proceedings.
The matter involving Matlala and Steyn was postponed to 9 October, with Steyn ordered to appear at 8.30am at the Germiston Magistrates’ Court.
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