Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Face Fraud Charges in Court
Julius Mkhwanazi, head of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 20 April 2026 alongside Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr. Imogen Mashazi on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
The pair were arrested following an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into alleged irregularities in the awarding of a R210 million waste management contract in 2023. Prosecutors allege that Mkhwanazi abused his position to influence the tender process in favour of a company linked to a close associate, receiving kickbacks disguised as consulting fees.
During the arrest, EMPD officers recovered a cache of ammunition from Mkhwanazi’s official vehicle, including 150 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and two magazines for an R5 rifle, leading to additional charges of illegal possession of ammunition under the Firearms Control Act.
Mkhwanazi’s legal representative confirmed that bail was opposed by the State due to the seriousness of the charges and the perceived risk of witness interference, given his former position as head of the city’s metro police. The court postponed the bail application to allow for further submissions, with a ruling expected within 48 hours.
Dr. Mashazi, who has served as Ekurhuleni’s city manager since 2021, faces separate charges related to the alleged approval of fraudulent invoices tied to the same contract. Her legal team argued that she acted on advice from municipal legal advisors and had no direct financial benefit from the transaction.
The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about oversight in Ekurhuleni’s procurement processes, particularly following a 2024 Auditor-General report that flagged R1.2 billion in irregular expenditure across the municipality’s departments.
Ekurhuleni Municipality issued a brief statement confirming that both officials remain suspended pending the outcome of the proceedings, in accordance with its disciplinary code. The statement declined to comment further, citing the sub judice nature of the matter.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are not ruled out as the SIU continues to trace financial flows linked to the contract.
The matter is set to return to court on 25 April 2026 for a formal bail hearing, after which the State will indicate whether it will proceed to trial.