Top cops granted bail for unlawful appointments

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Dumisani Khumalo, the head of Police Crime Intelligence, along with six colleagues, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday to apply for bail relating to charges of unlawful senior appointments within the police force.

- KAREN SINGH and SINENHLANHLA MASILELA

On their first court appearance, all but one of the accused were granted bail set at R10000 each. The arrested include five police officials who stood alongside Khumalo in the dock.

Khumalo was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday.

The group's Chief Financial Officer, Major General Philani Lushaba, also charged, remains in custody due to a pending case, where it was ruled that he could not be released on a technicality.

Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), confirmed that Lushaba's pending case did not reflect on the affidavit during bail application.

He said the other five accused were ordered not to enter any premises of Crime Intelligence.

Khumalo has been charged alongside Lushaba, Major General Nosipho Precious Madondo the Component Head of Intelligence Analysis and Co-ordination, Major General Josias Lekalaka the Gauteng Provincial Head of Crime Intelligence, Major General Zwelithini Gabela, who leads Technical Management Services, Brigadier Phindile Ncube, Section Head of Personnel Security Vetting, and Brigadier Dineo Mokwele.

The allegations centre around the irregular employment of Mokwele in a senior ranking position of Brigadier within the Technical Support Services (TSS).

It's alleged that Khumalo, acting in common purpose with his co-accused, was involved in this improper appointment while failing to adhere to the stringent vetting processes essential for senior officials within the SAPS.

Mamothame emphasised that the case formed part of IDAC's overarching mandate to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption within government entities, aiming to prevent potential state capture through these vital divisions.

The court matter has been postponed to August 13.