Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi was arrested by IPID in Kensington, Johannesburg on Friday 17 July 2026 as the fifth suspect in the alleged R14.9 million precious stones theft from a Killarney apartment in 2023. Image: eNCA/Supplied
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been arrested for the third time. IPID investigators and the SAPS Tactical Response Team arrested him in Kensington, Johannesburg on Friday night 17 July 2026. The Julius Mkhwanazi precious stones arrest makes him the fifth suspect in the alleged theft of stones worth R14.9 million from a Killarney apartment in 2023. Furthermore, he spent the weekend behind bars at the Germiston Police Station. As a result, he is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday 19 July 2026.
Julius Mkhwanazi Precious Stones Arrest: How IPID Found Him
IPID began Friday with five warrants of arrest to execute. Three had already been effected on 3 and 6 July 2026. On Friday, IPID arrested a fourth suspect, a JMPD officer known as Witness K. She had testified before the Madlanga Commission in camera about her role in the theft. Furthermore, Witness K is the former girlfriend of Mkhwanazi. She told the commission that Mkhwanazi plotted the theft. After arresting Witness K, investigators went to Mkhwanazi’s home in Alberton but could not find him. As a result, IPID and the SAPS Tactical Response Team searched several properties in Bedfordview and Kensington before locating and arresting him on Friday evening.
Footage of the arrest spread widely on social media. Mkhwanazi appeared warm and in good spirits as officers took him into custody. IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping confirmed the arrest. “They raided a house in Killarney without a warrant and one of them impersonated a police officer while others conducted an investigation outside their jurisdiction,” Suping said. Furthermore, she confirmed the suspects failed to register the seized stones in any official occurrence book. As a result, the charges include theft and fraud.
What the Precious Stones Case Is About
The case centres on an alleged bogus police operation at a Killarney property on 11 February 2023. A group of officers allegedly raided the home of Peter Prinsloo without a warrant. They seized six boxes of sugilite and manganese stones worth R14.9 million. At least one officer allegedly impersonated a police officer. Furthermore, the group acted outside their jurisdiction. The seized stones never appeared in any official police occurrence book. Only stones worth approximately R40,000 were later recovered. As a result, the bulk of the R14.9 million in precious stones remains unaccounted for.
Witness K admitted her involvement to the Madlanga Commission in camera. She told the commission that Mkhwanazi masterminded the plan to seize the stones unlawfully. Furthermore, she described how the operation was designed to look like a legitimate police action. As a result, her commission testimony formed part of the basis for the IPID arrest warrants executed on Friday.
His Third Arrest in Three Months
Friday’s arrest is Mkhwanazi’s third in roughly three months. IPID first arrested him on 18 April 2026 alongside Ekurhuleni municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla. That case involved an alleged 2019 scheme using a court impersonator. He received R30,000 bail. IPID then arrested him again on 9 July 2026 as part of the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team operation. That case involved Ekurhuleni officials who allegedly shielded him from disciplinary action. He received R50,000 bail. Furthermore, Friday’s precious stones arrest means he now faces charges in three separate criminal matters at the same time. As a result, social media has taken to calling him a permanent resident of the South African court system.
Witness K Also Arrested
The arrest of Witness K on Friday is significant. She testified before the Madlanga Commission behind closed doors under the protection of anonymity due to safety concerns. Her testimony was among the most detailed and damaging evidence about the alleged criminal activities of officers under Mkhwanazi’s command. Furthermore, she admitted her own role in the Killarney operation while testifying. As a result, her arrest confirms that cooperating with the commission does not automatically provide immunity from prosecution.
What Happens Next
Mkhwanazi and Witness K appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday 19 July 2026. They spent the weekend at Germiston Police Station after their arrests. Furthermore, the precious stones case now joins two other active criminal matters in which Mkhwanazi faces charges. As a result, the legal pressure on him across three separate cases is without precedent for a serving municipal police official in South Africa’s recent history.
For more on IPID operations visit ipid.gov.za.
Editors Note Julius Mkhwanazi and Witness K are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All charges referenced in this article are unproven and will be tested in court. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.