Mkhwanazi implicated in alleged cover-up of dumped body, commission told
A protected witness identified only as Witness D told the Madlanga Commission on Friday that he became a state witness after helping dispose of a body he said was killed during an off-the-books operation involving Ekurhuleni Metro police officers.
Witness D’s evidence corroborated earlier testimony by retired deputy chief Revo Spies that groups of officers were involved in violent crimes, including robberies and killings.
He described a specific incident in Brakpan in which a suspect in a warehouse robbery was detained, tortured and later found dead.
According to Witness D, officers , including named EMPD members and two unidentified SAPS Brakpan members, entered a house after tracing a white truck allegedly used in a warehouse robbery.
The group included Constable Zander Frits, Viandre Pretorius, Kershali Stolls, Aiden McKenzie, Jako Hanekom and Etienne Van der Waal, among others, the witness said.
He added that the suspect admitted to transporting stolen property and attempted to bribe officers with R500,000.
He told the commission the suspect was then taken to a bedroom, where officers applied a plastic bag over his head — a method the witness described as “tubing”, to force him to talk.
When the search did not locate the stolen stock, the witness said the suspect was later found dead.
Witness D said some officers discussed finding a firearm to plant at the scene and that an attempt was made to have a paramedic declare the man dead.
He described an immediate effort by members present to coordinate how to deal with the scene.
The witness said that Chief Superintendent Julius Mkhwanazi later arrived at the scene.
He told the commission that Mkhwanazi, whom he said was introduced to him that evening, instructed that the body be disposed of “in a mineshaft or dumped in a dam".
Witness D said he interpreted Mkhwanazi’s directions as an order to remove the body and that other officers escorted him to reposition his vehicle to facilitate concealment.
Witness D described other incidents in which state vehicles fitted with blue lights were used in criminal activity.
In one episode, he recounted confronting a person driving an Isuzu bakkie with blue lights; the driver produced a letter, allegedly signed by Mkhwanazi, identifying him as an EMPD officer.
The witness said he feared groups using state vehicles and resources to commit hijackings and robberies.
Witness D said he gave a written statement to IPID and participated in a scene identification exercise in late 2022 or early 2023.
He told the commission he has had no further contact with investigators since then and does not know the case number or the identity of any investigating officer. He said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident he described.
Witness D told the commission he fears the behaviour he described is ongoing and that, if unchecked, it will erode public confidence in policing and private security.
He said the offences he described are “well documented” but that he is frustrated by what he sees as a lack of legal or investigative progress.
ALSO READ