SAPS rocked by scandal

CRIME Intelligence has been rocked by another scandal as new information has revealed that the unit was in the process of purchasing two properties in Durban, through a company linked to members of the SAPS.

- MANYANE MANYANE

The properties would be purchased through Matla Storage (Pty) Limited, which was set up last year.

The directors were two police officers who are stationed in Pretoria, Captain Madumetja Mabusela and Nomzamo Nqwelo.

Certified fraud examiner and founder of Forensics for Justice, Paul O'Sullivan, sent this information to the National Prosecuting Authorities' Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and Office of the Inspector-General for Intelligence (OIGI).

The purchase was believed to have been approved.

This came as investigations into the alleged looting of the Crime Intelligence secret account continued, following the arrest of Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the division, and seven others.

Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg last week after what authorities described as an "extensive" investigation into the allegedly unlawful acquisition of two high-value properties.

The properties included a boutique hotel in Pretoria North, Gauteng, reportedly purchased for R22.7 million and a commercial building in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, valued at R22.8m.

Both acquisitions were alleged to have been made without the requisite ministerial approval.

It has been alleged that Khumalo and the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, received kickbacks from these deals.

The City Press on Sunday reported that Masemola could be arrested for the irregular procurement of crime intelligence buildings worth more than R120 million.