The ex-girlfriend of suspended EMPD high-ranking official Julius Mkhwanazi, known as Witness K, has told the Madlanga Commission how she, Julius, and his team robbed a victim of precious stones worth R14.9 million and sold them for just R110,000.
The Madlanga Commission heard testimony from Witness K, an inspector within the VIP unit of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).
She alleges that the Deputy Chief of the Kurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Julius Mkhwanazi, and members of his team planned and executed an operation to steal precious gems from an apartment in Killarney, Johannesburg.
Witness K revealed that she had been in a relationship with Mkhwanazi since 2022. After dating for a short while, Mkhwanazi confided in her about his financial troubles, which began after his suspension in 2023.
According to her evidence, Mkhwanazi frequently borrowed money from her for groceries, legal fees, and his children’s school fees.
When she could no longer assist him financially, he asked her to keep an ear out for any money-making opportunities.
She told the commission that she remembered information from an informant regarding illegal “sugar light stones” that were allegedly being kept by a man in the Killarney apartments.
After informing Mkhwanazi about the matter, she said he agreed to assemble a team. Witness K testified that a meeting took place on 11 February 2023, in Randhart, where Mkhwanazi introduced her to EMPD officers Kesha Leigh Stols and Norman Mackenzie, as well as Andy van der Walt.
According to Witness K, they entered the apartment and directly contacted the owner of the stones by phone, who allegedly admitted that he did not possess the required permits.
She stated that they confiscated the stones and sold them on the black market for R110,000 following negotiations with Van der Walt.
Witness K revealed that they split the money, receiving R22,000 each for herself, Mkhwanazi, Stols, Mackenzie, and Van der Walt. The commission heard that these gems were actually valued at R14.9 million.
During his testimony before the commission in April 2026, Mkhwanazi denied being directly involved in the operation, claiming his role was strictly limited to coordinating the officers over the phone.
He stated that the operation was targeted at individuals suspected of selling fake gems on social media platforms.
He further claimed that he arrived at the scene late and remained inside his vehicle while the operation was underway.