BREAKING: Fresh Blue-Lights Charge Added to Julius Mkhwanazi Disciplinary Case as Outcome Nears
The City of Ekurhuleni has added another misconduct charge to the disciplinary case against suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, intensifying pressure on the senior officer as his internal hearing reaches an advanced stage.
The fresh charge relates to allegations that Mkhwanazi unlawfully approved the fitting of blue emergency lights to private vehicles linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Eyewitness News reported the development early on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
The disciplinary case is now expected to produce an outcome as early as next week, according to EWN.
New charge linked to blue-lights saga
The latest allegation concerns four private vehicles associated with Matlala.
Ekurhuleni is now accusing Mkhwanazi of misconduct related to the fitting of blue lights to those vehicles.
This is separate from, but closely connected to, an earlier disciplinary charge alleging that Mkhwanazi signed a fraudulent memorandum of understanding that enabled Matlala to access blue-light privileges.
The allegations remain unproven and Mkhwanazi is entitled to contest them through the disciplinary process.
Fifth criminal case feeds into disciplinary process
The new internal charge follows Mkhwanazi’s fifth criminal case, which is also linked to the blue-lights controversy.
Last week, Independent Police Investigative Directorate officers served Mkhwanazi with another arrest warrant after proceedings at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
That criminal case concerns allegations that private luxury vehicles used by Cat Protection Services were irregularly registered as City of Ekurhuleni vehicles and fitted with blue emergency lights.
The criminal case and the disciplinary proceedings are separate processes and must not be treated as equivalent.
Mkhwanazi has denied blue-light allegations
Mkhwanazi has previously denied unlawfully granting Matlala access to blue lights.
During earlier testimony, he argued that the vehicles were being processed as possible donations to the City of Ekurhuleni and said he did not personally authorise the fitting of emergency equipment.
He has also described accusations surrounding the blue-light issue as part of an internal campaign against him.
Those denials remain important because the disciplinary hearing has not yet announced its final findings.
Labour Court already refused to stop hearing
Mkhwanazi previously attempted to halt the disciplinary proceedings through the Labour Court.
In March, the court rejected his urgent application.
He had argued that some of the alleged misconduct occurred under an earlier employment contract and that the municipality could therefore not discipline him under his current employment arrangement.
The Labour Court disagreed, ruling that a change in position or employment contract did not remove Ekurhuleni’s authority to discipline an employee for alleged misconduct committed while employed by the municipality.
That ruling allowed the disciplinary process to continue.
Hearing now at an advanced stage
The most significant new development is the timing.
EWN reports that Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary case has now reached an advanced stage, with an outcome expected next week.
That means Ekurhuleni could soon decide whether the allegations have been proved internally and what sanction, if any, should follow.
Mkhwanazi has remained suspended while the process continues.
Multiple legal battles unfolding simultaneously
The disciplinary development comes as Mkhwanazi faces mounting legal pressure in several courts.
On Thursday morning, he is also appearing with five co-accused in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court as their bail applications continue in the murder case involving businessman Emmanuel Mbhense. SABC began live coverage shortly after 09:00.
Mkhwanazi and his co-accused are facing allegations linked to Mbhense’s 2022 killing.
The State is opposing bail.
That prosecution is separate from both the blue-lights criminal case and the City of Ekurhuleni disciplinary proceedings.
Madlanga Commission connection
The blue-lights controversy has also featured prominently before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Evidence before the commission has placed the relationship between Mkhwanazi and Matlala under intense scrutiny.
Mkhwanazi has previously acknowledged knowing Matlala while disputing allegations that he abused his official position to benefit him.
The commission’s evidence has in turn triggered or intensified several investigations involving officials within policing and local government.
Why this matters
The fresh charge is significant because it is not simply another repetition of allegations already before the public.
It means Ekurhuleni has formally expanded its own disciplinary case against Mkhwanazi while the process is nearing a conclusion.
That raises the possibility that one of the most prominent officials implicated in recent police-corruption hearings could soon face a decisive employment outcome.
At the same time, Mkhwanazi remains before the courts on multiple criminal matters, where he retains the presumption of innocence.
The strongest verified development this morning is:
Ekurhuleni has added a fresh disciplinary charge against suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi over allegations involving blue lights on private vehicles linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, with his internal hearing reportedly approaching an outcome next week.
