Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his former girlfriend, known only as Witness K, have been granted bail of R5,000 each by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court after appearing on charges linked to the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million.

The pair appeared side by side in the dock on Tuesday after their arrest on Friday in separate operations in Alberton, Ekurhuleni, and Kensington, Johannesburg. They are accused of participating in the alleged theft of precious stones during what investigators describe as a fake police operation conducted at a property in Killarney in 2023.

Throughout the proceedings, Witness K kept her face covered and her head bowed while standing next to Mkhwanazi in the dock. Her identity has remained protected since she testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where she made explosive allegations relating to the disappearance of the precious stones and the involvement of senior law enforcement officials.

The State did not oppose bail, informing the court that there was no evidence suggesting either accused would evade trial, interfere with witnesses or obstruct the investigation. The court granted each accused bail of R5,000 and ordered them to report to their nearest police station every Monday between 6 am and 6 pm. They must also comply with the standard bail conditions and refrain from contacting State witnesses.

Reacting to the ruling, Witness K’s lawyer, Oscar Thobakgale, said his client was relieved by the outcome.

“It was just a great relief for my client to be granted bail. And as for the quantum, this is what we have requested for, and it is only fair for the magistrate to settle on an amount of R5,000.”

Thobakgale also explained why his client continued to conceal her face during the court proceedings.

“My client covered her face for safety reasons. The court allowed her to do so. My client is innocent,” he said.

The matter has been postponed to 25 August 2026, when Mkhwanazi and Witness K are expected to appear alongside their co-accused, Adrian Norman MacKenzie and Kersha Leigh Stols. Both MacKenzie, an EMPD officer, and former EMPD officer Stols were granted bail of R5,000 each in the same case last week. Charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt were previously withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority following representations made to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case has attracted widespread public attention because it stems from testimony heard by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into alleged criminality within law enforcement agencies. During her testimony before the commission, Witness K alleged that she and Mkhwanazi were romantically involved and claimed he played a key role in planning the operation during which the precious stones allegedly disappeared. She also implicated other current and former police officers in the alleged scheme.

Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations and maintains he is innocent. His legal team has indicated that he intends challenging the charges.

The latest arrest adds to Mkhwanazi’s growing legal troubles. Only last week he appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court alongside former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi, suspended human resources executive Linda Gxasheka and suspended legal head Kemi Behari in a separate corruption case. They were each granted bail of R50,000.

Earlier this year, Mkhwanazi also appeared in another criminal matter involving Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, where he was released on R30,000 bail pending further court proceedings.

The precious stones investigation remains one of the most significant cases arising from evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission. Investigators from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate continue probing allegations surrounding the disappearance of the valuable stones and the alleged abuse of police powers during the operation.

With four accused now out on bail, attention will turn to the next court appearance on 25 August as prosecutors continue building their case in one of the country’s most closely watched police corruption prosecutions.