Julius Mkhwanazi will continue to stay in custody following a ruling by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, which denied him bail in connection with the murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.
Mkhwanazi appeared in court with five co-accused as the judge decided on their bail applications. The court refused bail for all six individuals and adjourned the case until 24 November for further investigation.
The charges against Mkhwanazi and his co-accused include murder, aggravated robbery, and obstructing justice. While the state has opposed their release, the accused maintain their innocence and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This decision comes just a day after Mkhwanazi was granted bail of R10,000 in a separate corruption case involving blue lights on vehicles. However, he could not be released due to his involvement in the Mbense case. Ekurhuleni fleet manager Chris Steyn, also implicated in the blue lights case, received the same bail amount.
Mkhwanazi’s defence argued for his release in the murder case, but the state’s objections prevailed. With the bail request denied, he will remain in custody while investigations progress. The adjournment to 24 November allows investigators more time to prepare before the case is brought back to court.
Despite securing bail in the separate case, Mkhwanazi will remain in custody as the murder proceedings take priority. The six accused are scheduled to return to the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court next month.
