EKURHULENI, Gauteng — In a major development for the ongoing R15 million precious stones theft investigation, EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested following a targeted law enforcement operation in Gauteng. The high-profile apprehension brings the total number of executed arrest warrants in the case to five, marking a critical turning point for investigators.
The afternoon raid, which commenced at approximately 3:00 p.m., relied heavily on intelligence gathering and CCTV surveillance. Officers executed door-to-door inquiries in a residential neighborhood near Kensington, aided by local community security patrols. Although initial intelligence pointed to a specific residence, authorities ultimately located a suspect vehicle in the garage passage of a property just a few houses away from the original target.
Upon gaining entry to the property, officers swiftly took the senior official into custody. When questioned at the scene regarding the allegations, Mkhwanazi offered a brief “No comment” before being escorted into a waiting police vehicle for transport to a local station.
According to an IP spokesperson, authorities had not considered the deputy chief to be actively fleeing justice. Despite a temporary lapse in direct communication, investigators had maintained contact with Mkhwanazi through his legal representatives to facilitate the process. The spokesperson noted that this communication strategy ultimately led to his discovery in the Kensington vicinity.
The arrest ties directly to a broader criminal syndicate probe. Earlier in the day, a co-accused identified as “Witness K” was taken into custody in Alberton. Both individuals are now being processed and are slated to make their initial court appearance early next week. A Monday court date is expected, pending final confirmation by Sunday.
This latest detention follows earlier proceedings at a Johannesburg criminal court involving three other suspects connected to the R14.9 million heist. In those prior hearings, two individuals were granted bail, while charges against a third were formally dropped. With Mkhwanazi now in custody, all five warrants of arrest tied to the precious stones theft have been successfully served, allowing the judicial process to move forward.