Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has admitted he accepted money from businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, while insisting it did not buy influence or unlawful favours.

What Mkhwanazi Told Parliament

Mkhwanazi appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in Cape Town on Thursday, 22 January 2026, where MPs questioned him about allegations of corruption and links to a crime syndicate. He said he took money from Matlala without doing proper due diligence and told the committee he felt bad about it. He described the payments as a mistake driven by trust, not a plan to break the law.

‘Brotherly’ Ties With Matlala

In his testimony, Mkhwanazi confirmed Matlala was more than a business contact, saying he regarded him as a “brother”.

He also said meetings with Matlala happened openly at offices in Pretoria, not in secret. Mkhwanazi told MPs he believed Matlala’s security operation looked professional, with offices and paperwork that appeared in order.

Blue Lights and Vehicle ‘Donations’ Under the Spotlight

The relationship is being scrutinised because of claims that blue emergency lights, reserved for law enforcement, were fitted to vehicles linked to Matlala’s security company, CAT VIP.

Mkhwanazi denied he fitted, authorised, or installed blue lights on Matlala’s vehicles and said the allegation was false.

He acknowledged Matlala donated vehicles to the City of Ekurhuleni and said Matlala offered security services and vehicles to the city at no cost.

Suspension History and a New Twist

Mkhwanazi told MPs he was first suspended on 20 February 2023 for three months over allegations linked to blue lights and “branding” vehicles for Matlala’s company, before returning when the suspension lapsed.

He was later suspended again on 11 November 2025, following an internal audit and evidence raised at the Madlanga Commission.

During Thursday’s hearing, Mkhwanazi also revealed his attorney was shot the day before at the Booysens Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg. He said the case has shaken his family and claimed he is being targeted by an internal campaign to discredit him.

The ad hoc committee is expected to continue hearings on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.