Claims top crime boss vanished amid property scandal probe

THE SAPS and Police Ministry say they are not aware of the disappearance of Major-General Philani Lushaba, the chief financial officer of the SAPS Crime Intelligence unit, who allegedly vanished as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was preparing to question him about his involvement in financial misconduct linked to over a multi-million Rand property scandal.

- MANYANE MANYANE

The unit allegedly spent more than R45 million on irregular property purchases without proper approvals, triggering an investigation by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI).

The DA said Lushaba failed to report for duty on Friday and was unreachable.

The party said Lushaba's disappearance followed closely on the conclusion of an investigation by IGI into unlawful property acquisitions by the unit.

However, both the Police Ministry's spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi, and SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, said they are not aware of Lushaba's disappearance. Independent Media also reached out to Lushaba and he answered his phone but declined to comment.

"I think you should know where to direct inquiries in the SAPS," he said.

NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, did not respond to a request for comment.