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The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) under the ANC-EFF doomsday coalition continues to apply selective discipline of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Officers accused of serious breaches of the law.

It is more than a year since the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) recommended that action be taken against (EMPD) Deputy Chief of Police, Julius Mkhwanazi for alleged fraud and corruption.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the CoE expected this report to be tabled in the October Council so that decisive action could be taken.
Predictably, it did not.

While due process is meted out against the Chief of Police, Isaac Mapiyeye, who is on suspension pending an investigation into allegations of sexual assault, Mkhwanazi has been elevated to the position of Acting Chief of Police.

It has now been brought to the attention of the DA that Mkhwanazi has not been legally vetted, a process which is compulsory for EMPD officers.

He, along with 200 other officers have not been vetted.

It is evident that unscrupulous individuals have been allowed a free pass, more than likely because they are useful to powerful individuals in the CoE who need them to do their bidding – while others are rightfully subjected to due process.

This double standard makes a mockery of hardworking men and women in the EMPD who serve without fear or favour.

The DA will raise these damning matters in the Community Safety Oversight Committee and demand Committee Chair, Cllr. Pherane Rachidi ensure that they are tabled in a report to council.

Residents of the City deserve a clean EMPD – one that serves residents, not the nefarious ends of connected individuals.

Issued by Ald Jaco Terblanche - DA City of Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Community Safety