Corruption-accused Crime Intelligence boss says police probe cleared him

Crime Intelligence National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, who is facing charges for alleged corruption and fraud, says a South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation has cleared him of wrongdoing.

Khumalo and five other high-ranking officials were arrested in June for allegedly appointing a civilian without the necessary training or knowledge of policing.

These officials include Major General Philani Lushaba, Major General Josias Lekalakala, Brigadier Phindile Ncube, Major General Sydney Gabela, and Major General Nozipho Madondo.

Lushaba is the Crime Intelligence CFO, Ncube is the head of vetting, and Lekalakala is the head of Gauteng Crime Intelligence. Madondo works in the Crime Intelligence analysis centre, while Gabela works in technology services.

The Crime Intelligence boss and his five co-accused first appeared in the dock at the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday, 13 August. 

Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, the appointee, also appeared beside the six police officials. However, the case was postponed until 22 August.

Following this, Khumalo’s advocate, Abre Loubser, said his client would apply to amend his bail conditions.

Part of the application was to remove the condition that he may not enter any Crime Intelligence office in the country, so that he could return to work.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), which led the prosecution, said this would be opposed because the Crime Intelligence offices were a crime scene.

However, Loubser told the court on Friday that a SAPS probe had exonerated Khumalo of wrongdoing, allowing him to return to work.

Thus, Loubser argued that the bail conditions prevent the Crime Intelligence boss from fulfilling duties.

“It is of national importance that I be allowed to return to the office. The (bail) conditions infringe on my constitutional rights,” said Khumalo’s affidavit, which Loubser read to the court.

Mokwele, Madondo, and Lekalakala also applied to amend their bail applications.

However, News24 reported that several issues hindered Friday’s court proceedings, including pages missing from the record, the original documents not being available, and supporting affidavits not being submitted.

As a result, the court postponed the hearing of the four bail applications until 8 September, when a trial date will also be set.

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