Mkhwanazi Says Witness K Falsely Implicated Him Out of Revenge After Romance Ended
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi has told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that he was romantically involved with Witness K and claims she falsely implicated him after their relationship ended.
The claims emerged during Mkhwanazi’s bail application in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones valued at R14.9 million.
State prosecutor Nceba Ntelwa told the court that the prosecution would not oppose bail, arguing there was no evidence that Mkhwanazi or his co accused posed a flight risk or were likely to interfere with witnesses. The State also noted that the accused had cooperated with the investigation.
Mkhwanazi and Witness K, an inspector in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s VIP Protection Unit, were arrested on Friday during an intelligence led operation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Witness K previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, alleging that Mkhwanazi orchestrated the 2023 robbery at a property in Killarney, Johannesburg.
She claimed that she, Mkhwanazi and three other individuals stole high grade sugilite and manganese stones before sharing R110,000 from the proceeds.
Mkhwanazi has denied any involvement in the alleged robbery.
The arrests followed the bail application of EMPD officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha Leigh Stols, who alleged that they acted on Mkhwanazi’s instructions during the operation.
According to the State, MacKenzie and Stols falsely identified themselves as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team investigating suspected lithium smuggling. Prosecutors allege they used that representation to gain entry to a flat in Killarney on 11 February 2023 before assaulting the complainant, threatening occupants with firearms and stealing six boxes of precious stones worth an estimated R14.9 million.
The State further alleges the pair acted outside the EMPD’s jurisdiction while falsely claiming they were authorised to conduct law enforcement operations within the City of Johannesburg.
Charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt, who had also been arrested in the matter, were withdrawn last week, while MacKenzie and Stols were each granted R5,000 bail.
When proceedings resumed on Monday, Witness K appeared in court with her face covered by a scarf, citing concerns for her safety.
In an affidavit before the court, Mkhwanazi denied arranging or participating in the alleged robbery or the subsequent sale of the stones.
He also rejected allegations that he received any share of the proceeds, describing the claims as fabricated.
Mkhwanazi argued that earlier statements made by his co accused did not implicate him and claimed the allegations against him only surfaced recently.
He further questioned the prosecution’s version of events, saying it was implausible that precious stones allegedly worth nearly R15 million would have been sold for R110,000.
Addressing his relationship with Witness K, Mkhwanazi told the court they became romantically involved in February 2023.
He claimed Witness K had hoped they would eventually marry but that he ended the relationship after learning she was allegedly involved with a Hawks officer.
According to Mkhwanazi, Witness K became emotionally distressed after the relationship ended and later fabricated allegations against him out of resentment.
Witness K previously told the Madlanga Commission that she and Mkhwanazi met in 2022 and began dating the following year after he had been suspended from the EMPD.
She testified that Mkhwanazi frequently asked her for financial assistance, including help with groceries, legal expenses, disciplinary proceedings and his children’s school fees, but failed to repay her.
She said their relationship deteriorated after money linked to the alleged robbery was distributed and that they eventually stopped communicating.
Witness K’s legal representative, Oscar Thovhakale, confirmed that his client acknowledged the charges against her.
Magistrate Annelise Tlhapi postponed the matter until Tuesday for closing arguments in the bail application and a ruling on bail.