Mkhwanazi admits fraud, tied to R15 million stone theft

A suspended senior police official has admitted to submitting a fraudulent police clearance certificate for a businessman while also being implicated in a multi-million rand robbery of precious stones, according to testimony presented this week at a judicial commission of inquiry. The developments form part of a sprawling investigation into alleged corruption and misconduct within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).

On Wednesday, June 24, suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi acknowledged before the Madlanga Commission that a police clearance certificate for businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala was fraudulent. Evidence leader Mahlape Sello presented a police affidavit stating the document, which indicated Matlala had no criminal record, contained discrepancies in its unique numbers and appeared to have been forged from a certificate issued to another person. Mkhwanazi stated he could not contest the finding. Police records show Matlala was convicted in 2001 for housebreaking and theft and sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

The certificate had been submitted to support Matlala's inclusion in a proposed volunteer "peace corps" program for traffic control...