Witness claims EMPD officers killed Brakpan suspect and ordered him to dispose of the body

A man testifying as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission has alleged that suspended Ekurhuleni metro police acting chief Brig Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him to dispose of the body of a suspect who died after being assaulted by EMPD officers during an operation in Brakpan.

The witness, whose identity is protected and who testified partially in-camera on Friday, said the incident took place on April 15 2022 after he received persistent calls from security firm boss Kobus Janse van Rensburg to assist with an operation at the home of a robbery suspect. Although he was caring for his child at the time, he eventually agreed to join.

On arrival, he found EMPD officers linked to Mkhwanazi, two SAPS members he viewed as suspicious and Jaco Hanekom whom he described as a SAPS informer. He said he immediately told Van Rensburg he was uncomfortable, as several of those present had long been associated with criminal activity.

The officers apprehended the suspect, who allegedly admitted to a warehouse break-in and pleaded not to be assaulted. He also claimed to have R500,000. Witness D said the man was taken into a separate room, where he saw officers “tubing” him suffocating him with a plastic bag while another officer brought water. He said forensic bags, ammunition and dockets linked to other crimes were also found at the scene.

When he asked whether the suspect had revealed the location of stolen goods, an officer allegedly replied: “He will never talk again.”

According to the testimony, officers then attempted to stage the scene and discussed finding a firearm to plant. One mentioned calling crime intelligence boss Feroz Khan “to fix this”, while Hanekom reportedly said “the chief” would manage the situation.

Witness D said Mkhwanazi later arrived at the property, wearing a dark tracksuit, and instructed that the body be dumped in a mineshaft or dam. The witness said Mkhwanazi looked directly at him as he gave the order. Fearing for his own safety, he complied.

He said Hanekom and EMPD officer Leandre Pretorius loaded the body into the back of his bakkie. He left it partially submerged in Nigel dam. “We still have no idea who the dead man was,” he told the commission.

After the incident, he said some officers went out for drinks. He burned his clothes the following day.

Witness D said he reported the matter to the Hawks, IPID and SAPS, but was told the officers involved were dangerous. He also claimed he was threatened by Van Rensburg and others, who warned him not to speak to police. He said the group later arrived at his workplace and held a meeting where details of the dumping were discussed.

He further alleged that Mkhwanazi issued appointment letters to private security company members, allowing them to act as EMPD tracking unit members and collect recovery fees from hijack victims. Hanekom, he said, carried such a letter despite having a criminal record and allegedly impersonated a police officer.