Proceedings in the fraud and corruption case against former Ekurhuleni deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi were disrupted by a procedural failure from the state, temporarily delaying his scheduled court appearance. Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla were due to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday over allegations linked to a 2019 court-impersonation scheme.
The state failed to submit the required requisition for Mkhwanazi's transfer within the prescribed 48-hour period, leading to his absence in court. The requisition gives correctional authorities sufficient time to arrange an accused person’s transport, security and other logistical requirements for a court appearance. In this case, the request was only submitted on Monday, leaving the state outside the required window.
With Mkhwanazi absent, the court placed the administrative failure on record and stayed the arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear. The defence also sought an extension of bail for both accused until their next scheduled appearance on November 3. The court granted the request and ordered that the warrant against Mkhwanazi remain stayed until then, pending his appearance.
The case stems from allegations that Mkhwanazi and Lerutla were involved in a 2019 scheme that impersonated a court official. They face charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Mkhwanazi remains on bail in the matter but faces four other cases, including one in which bail was denied.
Mkhwanazi's absence from court was not the first instance of disruption in his cases. His suspension from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department has cost the city more than R1.27 million in salary and benefits while on suspension, as he remains in custody following multiple charges.
The former deputy police chief has been involved in several high-profile cases, including one linked to the alleged theft of R14.9 million worth of precious stones and another involving blue-light corruption. He was granted R10,000 bail in the alleged blue-light corruption case but remains in custody pending judgment in a separate murder-related case.
The next scheduled court appearance for Mkhwanazi and Lerutla is set for November 3, where they will continue to face charges related to their alleged involvement in the 2019 court-impersonation scheme. The stay of the arrest warrant against Mkhwanazi allows him to remain out of custody until then, despite the state's procedural failure.
Key points
- A warrant of arrest issued for Julius Mkhwanazi was stayed due to a state procedural failure.
- Mkhwanazi faces multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
- The next court appearance for Mkhwanazi and Lerutla is scheduled for November 3.
