I retired early due to rampant criminality at EMPD – Spies

Retired deputy head of Ekurhuleni Metro Police says he retired early because he would have a heartattack due to the criminality that was happening in the department. This is against his DNA.“I was gonna have mental health issues and a heart attack if I carried on in this manner. All this criminality [that] was around me is directly against my DNA of being a police officer; I cannot cope with nothing being done in the city.“Its clear that the city is on the path of destruction, and I don’t want to be part of it,” he said at the Madlanga commission on Tuesday.All this criminality that was around me is directly against my DNA of being a police officer.—  Revo Spies, Retired deputy chief of Ekurhuleni metro policeHe described what is happening at Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) as a criminal enterprise.He also revealed that attempts to get Julius Mkhwanazi and his division vetted failed after Mkhwanazi and his group blatantly refused to submit their fingerprints. Mkhwanazi served as the acting EMPD head. The commission made revelations on Tuesday that led to his suspension. According to Spies Mkhwanazi refused to undergo vetting by the State Security Agency. In 2022 out of the 3,762 Ekurhuleni police officers vetted 275 had previous convictions while 100 were still awaiting trial.“This posed a serious risk to the public and undermined the credibility of officers,” “Spies” began his testimony last Friday at the Madlanga committee. He highlighted the criminality and misuse by Ekurhuleni police officers of Metro cops with the help of acting chief Brig Julius Mkhwanazi. “Cat” Matlala.As a result of the agreement, Mkhwanazi fitted blue lights to Matlala’s security company cars.Spies then touched on a case of copper theft where Mkhwanazi is allegedly involved.According to Spies, Mkhwanazi was captured on CCTV footage in Meyerton, Vaal, where they allegedly stole copper.The whistleblower, Jaco Hanekom, who shared the CCTV footage with the police, was later killed.Spies also linked Mkhwanazi to the 2022 April murder case of a civilian who was tortured to death and later disposed of in a river.“They (Ekurhuleni police) say they called Brig Mkhwanazi; he arrived at the scene and directed them on how to clean the scene.”Spies thought that the case could be solved quickly, because there was an official witness.“None of the police officers have been charged. The case has not gone forward and is still under investigation,” The commission is continuing.
2025-11-12 08:53:33