Former crime intelligence officer challenges reinstatement of fraud charges

A FORMER police crime intelligence official is set to challenge the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruling that fraud charges against him be reinstated and his trial to continue.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

Tiyani Hlungwani formerly held the rank of brigadier and was the financial and administrative services section head in the SA Police Service's crime intelligence division's secret services account, also referred to as the slush fund.

In June, the full bench of the high court - Acting Judge Siboniso Sambo and Judge Mandla Mbongwe - set aside Hlungwani’s acquittal and discharge.

Hlungwani was acquitted of fraud charges by Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court Magistrate Ignatius du Preez in November 2023, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully appealed the decision.

Acting Judge Sambo and Judge Mbongwe referred the matter back to the specialised commercial crimes court for the continuation of the trial.

However, Hlungwani, who represented himself, has expressed his unhappiness with the judgment, saying he was never informed that the NPA enrolled the matter for the hearing of its appeal last month.