Top EMPD Official ‘Julius Mkhwanazi’ Arrested in R14.9 Million Precious Stones Heist

JOHANNESBURG – The Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) has apprehended suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, bringing an end to a high-stakes manhunt linked to a multi-million rand robbery .

Mkhwanazi was the final suspect sought by authorities in connection with the 2023 theft of precious stones valued at R14.9 million from a private residence in Killarney . His arrest follows a coordinated operation by IPID and the South African Police Service (SAPS), who had been monitoring his movements throughout Friday.

The Operation

Law enforcement officials successfully executed the arrest warrant on Friday evening after tracking Mkhwanazi to a property in Bedfordview . Earlier in the day, a specialized team had converged on his primary residence in Alberton, but the high-ranking officer was not present at the time.

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The investigation into the R14.9 million heist gained significant momentum following explosive testimony from a witness known as “Witness K” . Allegations surfaced that Mkhwanazi orchestrated the robbery under the guise of an official police operation, purportedly due to personal financial struggles . It is alleged that he instructed subordinates to “confiscate” the stones from the Killarney apartment, which were then diverted for private gain .

Legal Proceedings

The arrest of the Deputy Chief follows the appearance of three other suspects in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court earlier this week . During those proceedings:

• Two suspects were released on bail of R5,000 each.
• Charges against a third individual were formally withdrawn by the state.

Mkhwanazi is expected to appear in court shortly to face a litany of charges, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, fraud, and corruption . IPID has emphasized that the arrest marks a significant step in rooting out corruption within the upper echelons of municipal law enforcement.