The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has released suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi on bail as he continues to face mounting legal challenges.
Mkhwanazi and his former romantic partner, identified as Witness K, were each released on bail of R5,000 on Tuesday.
Mkhwanazi has been charged in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million.
The court also heard on Monday that Mkhwanazi had been in a romantic relationship with Witness K.
He claimed she was in love with him and hoped they would marry.
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 told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Mkhwanazi orchestrated the February 11, 2023, Killarney robbery, alleging they and three others stole high-grade sugilite and manganese stones before each receiving R110,000.
Mkhwanazi has denied the claims.
Their arrests followed testimony by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stols, who alleged they acted on Mkhwanazi’s instructions.
The pair face robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud charges and were each granted R5,000 bail last week on Thursday.
The State withdrew charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt.
According to the State, the accused falsely identified themselves as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team comprising EMPD officials and members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), claiming they were investigating suspected lithium smuggling.
Prosecutors allege they used those representations to gain entry to the property before assaulting the complainant, threatening occupants with firearms and stealing six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones valued at an estimated R14.9 million.
The State further alleges they acted outside the EMPD’s lawful jurisdiction while falsely claiming they were authorised to conduct law enforcement operations within the City of Johannesburg.
The matter has been postponed to August 25, 2026, for further investigation.
