New arrest warrant for former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi stayed
A new arrest warrant issued for former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has been stayed after he missed his court appearance in a fraud matter on Tuesday.
The disgraced former Ekurhuleni top cop faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice alongside city manager Kagiso Lerutla in connection with an alleged 2019 court impersonation scheme.
The pair were expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
However, an administrative error resulted in the state missing a 48-hour window to secure Mkhwanazi's transfer from jail to court.Β
The court quickly stayed the arrest warrant for Mkhwanazi after it was placed on the record that the state failed to timely complete a requisition request.Β
By law, the request must be made within a 48-hour window to allow the correctional facility holding an accused person enough time to arrange transport, guards and other preparations.Β
The state in the case only made its request on Monday.Β
The defence petitioned the court to extend the bail of both Mkhwanazi and Kagiso Lerutla to the next court date on November 3, which the court granted.Β
This also included staying the arrest warrant for Mkhwanazi until the same date pending his appearance.Β
Although out on bail in this matter, Mkhwanazi faces four other matters, one in which he was denied bail.
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