Ekurhuleni, South Africa — In a gripping Senate commission hearing, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, head of the Media and Public Relations Unit for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), revealed the dark repercussions of her involvement in a scandal that has shaken the department to its core. The allegations against suspended Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, linked to the controversial “blue lights” scandal, have led to threats against Thepa and raised alarms about the safety of those who speak out.
During her testimony, Thepa detailed a terrifying encounter with three armed men in July 2023, who confronted her after she visited her mother’s grave. The attackers demanded her phone and made it clear that their aggression was tied to her role in responding to media inquiries regarding the scandal that has embroiled the EMPD in controversy. “They said I was a problem at work,” she recalled, her voice trembling with emotion. The attackers overtly displayed their intent, using physical violence and threats to coerce her, before abandoning her in Ivory Park when she lost consciousness.
Despite Thepa’s courageous move to file a kidnapping case, she encountered resistance from law enforcement. Initially, police refused to process her report, raising fears that the family’s vehicle used during the incident could be stripped for parts. Her dedication to the job and the safety of her family highlights the serious risks faced by officials uncovering misconduct within the organization.
Thepa’s professional journey is compelling; she is not just an officer but also a law graduate and former journalist. Her ascent as the first female spokesperson for the EMPD in 2021 introduced her to the public eye, where she became responsible for answering press inquiries. The situation escalated on February 2, 2023, when journalist Jeff Wicks contacted her about documents suggesting Mkhwanazi had unlawfully allowed vehicles owned by Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s security firm to be masqueraded as EMPD vehicles equipped with blue lights.
Upon receiving suspicious documents from Wicks, including a letter allegedly signed by Mkhwanazi, Thepa immediately sought guidance from the then acting EMPD chief, Revo Spies. Spies confirmed the illegality of the arrangement and called for an investigation. The media’s subsequent outcry prompted Thepa to push for a comprehensive statement from city officials, but instead, she faced pressure to “back off” from the city spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.
As the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) began its inquiry, Thepa felt uneasy about speaking out but eventually provided a statement after receiving reassurances. Yet, she soon discovered that Mkhwanazi had branded her a corrupt officer, attempting to ruin her reputation by referencing an unrelated inactive case against her.
The threats to her safety continued when Spies identified a grey Audi following Thepa, traced to someone with the surname Mkhwanazi. Feeling vulnerable in a department rife with fear, she described her situation as that of a “crawling ant,” implying a sense of helplessness amidst powerful forces.
Thepa’s ordeal underscores the severity of the blue-lights scandal and its ramifications within the EMPD, where powerful networks seem willing to intimidate those who disclose wrongdoing. The commission remains ongoing as it seeks to unravel the complexities of this troubling case and ensure justice prevails.