Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused will remain behind bars after the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court denied them bail in connection with the murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully opposed the bail applications of all six accused on Tuesday, with the court finding that they had failed to place sufficient evidence before it to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify their release in the interests of justice.
Mkhwanazi, 50, businessman; former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official Cobus Janse van Rensburg, 42; Adrian Norman Mackenzie, 43; and former South African Police Service officials Bhekokwakhe Sibande, 36, Keisha-Leigh Stols, 40, and Juan Maree Eksteen, 33, face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the administration of justice.
The State alleges that on 14 April 2022, the group assaulted and killed Mbense at his home after suspecting him of stealing copper from a warehouse.
They are further accused of robbing Mbense of personal belongings and about R500,000 in cash before allegedly dumping his body at Spaarwater Dam.
The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk that the accused could evade trial.
The matter was postponed to 24 November 2026 for further investigation and to allow for an outstanding suspect to be arrested and added to the case.
NPA Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed the bail outcome.
The latest ruling means Mkhwanazi will remain in custody despite being granted bail in another criminal matter on Monday.
On Monday, 14 September, the Germiston Magistrate’s Court granted Mkhwanazi R10,000 bail in the so-called blue lights case involving alleged corruption linked to vehicles associated with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
However, the bail did not result in his release because he was still being held on the Mbense murder charges.
Mkhwanazi’s bail timeline
April 2026: First arrest and R30,000 bail
Mkhwanazi was arrested in April alongside Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla over allegations linked to a 2019 scheme in which a person allegedly impersonated Lerutla in court in connection with a speeding matter.
They faced charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
On 28 April, the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court granted Mkhwanazi and Lerutla R30,000 bail each, subject to strict conditions including surrendering their passports and not contacting a key witness.
July 2026: R50,000 bail in Ekurhuleni corruption case
Mkhwanazi was arrested again in July in a separate corruption investigation involving allegations that senior Ekurhuleni officials had shielded him from disciplinary action over the fitting of blue lights to private vehicles linked to Matlala.
On 9 July, he and suspended head of legal services Kemi Behari were granted R50,000 bail each.
July 2026: R5,000 bail in precious stones case
Mkhwanazi was arrested again on 17 July in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth about R14.9 million during an alleged bogus police raid in Killarney, Johannesburg.
He and a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer known as Witness K were granted R5,000 bail each on 21 July.
The State alleges that the stones were unlawfully seized during the raid. Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations.
August 2026: Arrest in Mbense murder case
Mkhwanazi was subsequently arrested in connection with the 2022 killing of Mbense, marking his first case involving a Schedule 6 murder charge.
He and five co-accused applied for bail, with the State opposing their release. The lengthy bail hearing included evidence from the investigating officer and arguments over whether the State had established a sufficient case against the accused. (EWN)
14 September 2026: R10,000 bail in blue lights case
Mkhwanazi was granted another R10,000 bail on Monday in the separate blue lights criminal case involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Ekurhuleni fleet manager Chris Steyn.
The NPA says Mkhwanazi faces six counts of corruption, fraud and defeating the administration of justice in that matter. The allegations relate to an MOU he allegedly drafted between EMPD and Matlala’s CAT VIP Protection without the required municipal approval. (National Prosecuting Authority)
Despite the latest bail grant, Mkhwanazi remained in custody because of the pending Mbense murder case.
Tuesday’s ruling therefore leaves him behind bars while prosecutors continue with the case against him and his five co-accused.
The Mbense matter returns to court on 24 November, when further investigations are expected to continue and the State intends to add an outstanding suspect to the case.
