Ekurhuleni Community Safety MMC Sizakele Masuku says acting Ekurhuleni Metro police chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, is on special leave.

She was speaking during a council sitting to discuss a motion to place Mkhwanazi on precautionary suspension following revelations of his alleged links to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

This follows allegations Mkhwanazi registered Matlala’s five private vehicles as official municipal vehicles and that they were also fitted with blue lights in 2003.

He has denied the allegations.

Masuku says Mkhwanazi has applied for special leave to allow the investigations into these allegations to take place without any hindrance.

“The development I can give the council now is that the acting chief of police is on special leave. He has written a letter that he is going on special leave so that he is not there during the process because it’s still allegations.”

DEVELOPING | An urgent motion to suspend Acting EMPD Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been tabled in the Ekurhuleni council. SABC News Reporter Mbalenhle Mthethwa has the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/aA5EGypJco

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 25, 2025

-Report by Luyanda Danca