Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and four co-accused are back in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday as they seek bail in connection with the murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
The five are accused of murdering Mbense and disposing of his body in a dam in Duduza, near Nigel. Mbense was allegedly tortured and killed at his Brakpan home in April 2022.
Mkhwanazi is appearing alongside former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stols, EMPD officer Adrian MacKenzie, SAPS officer Bhekokwakhe Sibande and private security company owner Cobus Janse van Rensburg.
The State is opposing bail and has classified the murder charge as a Schedule 6 offence. This means the accused must demonstrate exceptional circumstances to convince the court that they should be released on bail.
The bail proceedings were postponed last week after defence lawyers challenged the State’s position and raised concerns about the prosecution’s failure to disclose its reasons for opposing bail.
The Mbense murder case previously featured prominently at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where testimony was heard about an alleged cover-up surrounding his death.
The accused remain in custody pending the outcome of the bail application
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