Julius Mkhwanazi, 5 others denied bail in Emmanuel Mbense murder case

EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is among six accused who have been denied bail in connection with the 2022 murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.

Mkhwanazi, 50, a businessman, former EMPD official Cobus Janse van Rensburg, 42, Adrian Norman Mackenzie, 43, and former SAPS officials Bhekokwakhe Sibande, 36, Keisha-Leigh Stols, 40, and Juan Maree Eksteen, 33, are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the administration of justice.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully opposed their bail application in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.

The State alleges that on 14 April 2022, the accused assaulted and murdered Mbense at his residence after suspecting him of stealing copper from a warehouse.

They allegedly robbed him of personal belongings and about R500 000 in cash before disposing of his body at Spaarwater Dam.

The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk that the accused could evade trial.

The court found that the accused had failed to provide sufficient evidence of exceptional circumstances that would justify their release on bail.

All six were therefore denied bail.

The matter was postponed to 24 November 2026 for further investigation and the arrest and addition of an outstanding suspect.