Julius Muani’s Alleged Corruption and the Mad Langa Commission: The Unraveling of South Africa’s Rogue Police Empire
In one of the most chilling revelations in South Africa’s law enforcement history, it has emerged that 275 police officers, including individuals with convictions for assault, theft, and even murdєr, continued to serve with full authority, carrying badges and firearms.

At the center of this disturbing reality is Julius Muani, the suspended deputy chief of the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), whose name has become synonymous with corruption, political interference, and criminal enterprise.

This case is not merely about one man’s fall from grace; it’s about the systemic collapse of law enforcement at the highest levels and the ongoing struggle for accountability in the South African police force.

In August 2022, CCTV footage from a workshop outside the EMPD’s jurisdiction showed uniformed officers conducting what appeared to be a tactical operation.

However, the owner of the workshop later revealed a much darker truth—these officers weren’t there to recover stolen property, they were there to steal it.

This footage, provided to investigators by Jooko Henham, became a crucial piece of evidence against Muani’s network.

Tragically, Henham would never live to see justice, as he was shot dead in March 2023 during an alleged hijacking, just hours after the officers seen in the footage were released on bail.

This murdєr sent a chilling message to anyone who dared to speak out.

The Mad Langa Commission, established to investigate these allegations, uncovered a web of corruption spanning multiple criminal activities, including forged documents, fraudulent contracts, and a blue light scandal that allowed criminal associates to impersonate law enforcement officers.

Muani’s alleged actions didn’t just involve his own personal greed; they exposed a culture of institutional capture, where violence and political protection became tools to sustain a rogue empire within the state’s own borders.

The Blue Light Scandal and Political Manipulation
One of the most shocking revelations was the blue light scandal.

In South Africa, blue lights and sirens are reserved for legitimate law enforcement and emergency services.

However, business owner Vusumuzui Ket Matlala, a man facing charges for attempted murdєr and alleged ties to criminal cartels, was seen operating vehicles equipped with these emergency signals.

Investigations revealed that Muani had not only authorized the installation of blue lights on Matlala’s private vehicles, but he had orchestrated a scheme to register these vehicles under the Ekhuruleni municipality.

Through this deception, Matlala’s vehicles appeared legitimate, enabling him to impersonate law enforcement officers.

Further investigation revealed that Muani’s actions extended far beyond blue lights.

He had facilitated fraudulent contracts between the EMPD and private security firms like KV VIP Security and Medicare 24, using city funds to pay for these arrangements.

These contracts included tasks that should have been handled by police officers, such as VIP protection and even blood draws at roadblocks, tasks legally reserved for medical professionals.

Documents were found to be signed with forgeries, and top officials such as EMPD Chief Jabulani Isaac Mappy and former city manager Image Mashotzi testified that they never authorized such agreements.

Despite this, the city had already been paying Matlala’s license fees using taxpayer money.

Corruption and Impunity: The Network of Silence

The systematic corruption that allowed this situation to fester was only compounded by the apparent impunity enjoyed by Muani.

Even after an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) found that Muani acted unlawfully and with corrupt intent, he remained untouched for months.

Recommendations for his suspension and criminal prosecution were ignored.

It wasn’t until November 2025, after years of pressure from civil society groups like the Democratic Alliance, that Muani was finally suspended.

Yet, his suspension was only precautionary, and he continued to receive a taxpayer-funded salary while legal battles loomed.

Muani’s ability to consolidate power within the EMPD was evident.

Between May and July 2020, he pushed through 55 senior promotions and appointments, bypassing normal vetting processes.

These promotions were largely awarded to individuals from units Muani had previously commanded, ensuring loyalty to him rather than merit.

This led to a total collapse in morale among honest officers who saw professional standards discarded in favor of patronage.

The EMPD, once a protective service for the citizens of Ekhuruleni, had become a shield for Muani’s own interests.

The Cover-Up and the Murder of Jooko Henham

One of the most disturbing aspects of the investigation was the cover-up of a murdєr that occurred in 2022.

A robbery suspect in Breenhus was allegedly tortured to death during a joint operation involving EMPD officers and private security.

The suspect was reportedly subjected to tubing, a suffocation technique using a plastic bag.

When the suspect died during interrogation, Muani was allegedly called to the scene.

Instead of calling for a forensic investigation, he directed the disposal of the body, instructing witnesses to dump it in a mine shaft or a dam.

The cover-up extended to manipulating official records and intimidating witnesses, ensuring that the truth would never be exposed.

The climate of fear surrounding Muani’s network was so pervasive that potential witnesses were silenced, knowing that exposing the network would come with deadly consequences.

The fear was not unfounded.

Jooko Henham, who was set to testify about the murdєr and copper theft incidents, was killed before he could take the stand.

The cover-up became so systemic that even the police’s internal investigations were manipulated to protect the criminals within their ranks.

The Mad Langa Commission: A Step Toward Accountability?
The Mad Langa Commission’s findings were nothing short of explosive.

The commission uncovered the depth of corruption within the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department, painting a picture of an organization that had become a personal criminal enterprise.

However, the true test now lies in the hands of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The task of untangling the web of forged documents, identifying victims of police-led murdєrs, and reversing the hundreds of illegal promotions is monumental.

While the commission has successfully exposed the mechanics of this rogue empire, the real challenge will be holding the individuals responsible accountable.

The NPA must now move forward with prosecution, tackling the layers of corruption that allowed such an operation to thrive within the South African police force.

The Fight for Justice and the Slow Path to Reform
For the residents of Ekhuruleni and the honest officers still remaining in the wake of this scandal, the hope is that the testimony from the Mad Langa Commission will not only lead to the downfall of one man but will catalyze a total reconstruction of the department.

The South African police force is at a crossroads.

The corruption that has seeped into its ranks must be eradicated if the force is to regain the public’s trust.

But as history has shown, reform is a long and painful process.

Matlala’s case serves as a grim reminder of how easily the thin blue line can be erased when political interference and institutional neglect allow corruption to take root.

However, with continued pressure from civil society, the media, and politicians, there is a chance that South Africa can turn the tide and restore some semblance of integrity to its justice system.

Conclusion: The Unanswered Questions
The case of Julius Muani and the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department is a powerful example of institutional corruption at the highest levels.

The Mad Langa Commission has peeled back the layers of this web, but much remains to be done.

The story is far from over, and the real test will be whether the justice system can effectively deal with the scale of corruption within its ranks.

What will happen to those who have been exposed? Will justice be served, or will political interference allow them to continue their reign of terror? The answers to these questions will determine the future of policing in South Africa and whether it can reclaim its role as a protector of the people.