Labour Court Dismisses Julius Mkhwanazi’s Urgent Application to Stop Disciplinary Hearing
The Labour Court has dismissed an urgent application filed by the Mescu Union on behalf of suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who sought to halt his disciplinary hearing.
Mkhwanazi and the union approached the court in an attempt to block internal disciplinary proceedings initiated by the City of Ekurhuleni. They argued that the charges against him were unlawful, claiming the alleged misconduct took place under a previous employment contract that has since been terminated.
According to court documents, Mkhwanazi is facing serious allegations relating to his dealings with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. These include claims that private vehicles belonging to Matlala were fraudulently registered under the municipality’s name, as well as allegations that blue lights were unlawfully installed on the vehicles.
However, the Labour Court found Mkhwanazi’s arguments unpersuasive. In its ruling, the court emphasised that a change in employment contract or position does not prevent an employer from taking disciplinary action over alleged past misconduct.
The court further stated that Mkhwanazi failed to prove that the disciplinary process would be unlawful or unfair. As a result, the ruling allows the City of Ekurhuleni to proceed with its internal disciplinary hearing.
The decision represents a significant development in a matter that has attracted public attention due to its alleged links to criminal networks and concerns over the misuse of municipal resources.
The disciplinary process is expected to continue, with observers closely monitoring the outcome and its potential impact on accountability within law enforcement and municipal structures.
