Julius Mkhwanazi R14.9m Precious Stones Case Postponed to September

• Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and 3 co-accused appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court on 25 August
• The group faces charges linked to an alleged bogus police raid in Killarney in 2023, involving precious stones worth R14.9 million
• A former co-accused has since become a State witness, with the State set to disclose its case before the next court date

JOHANNESBURG — The criminal case against suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and three co-accused has been postponed, with the matter set to return to the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court on 18 September 2026.

Mkhwanazi appeared alongside Keisha-Leigh Stols, Adrian Mackenzie and Kgomotso Makhubo on Tuesday, 25 August. The group is accused of involvement in an alleged bogus police raid carried out in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023.

R14.9 million precious stones robbery alleged

The charges against the four accused relate to the alleged theft of six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones from a flat during the raid. Those stones were reportedly valued at approximately R14.9 million at the time.

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The accused face a Schedule 6 charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as fraud-related charges. Prosecutors allege that municipal officers acted outside their jurisdiction during the incident, and that one of the former accused impersonated a police officer.

Before the matter returns to court in September, the State is expected to formally disclose its case to the defence.

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Madlanga Commission brought case to light

The alleged robbery first came to public attention through testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is examining allegations of corruption and criminal conduct within the police and other law enforcement bodies. The revelations made during those proceedings led directly to the arrest of Mkhwanazi and his co-accused.

One former co-accused, Etienne van der Walt, has since agreed to testify for the prosecution. Van der Walt is also expected to appear as a witness in a separate murder case involving Emmanuel Mbense.

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The accused remain before the court as the State continues to prepare its disclosure ahead of the September hearing.

Julius Mkhwanazi says charges are politically motivated

Briefly News also reported that Julius Mkhwanazi believes that the latest charges against him are politically motivated and designed to block his candidacy to become Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Chief. Mkhwanazi, who is the suspended Deputy Chief of the EMPD, is currently facing charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. The charges are related to his appointment to the post of Deputy Chief. He has now declared his intention to contest the position of metro police chief, despite facing a fresh wave of criminal charges in court.

Source: Briefly News