Call for audit into SAPS Crime Intelligence following arrests of senior officials
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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Jan de Villiers, has called for an independent and immediate audit into the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence Division, following the arrest of seven senior officials on corruption-related charges.
The arrests, which took place between June and July 2025, were of high-ranking Crime Intelligence officials responsible for financial oversight, internal controls, and personnel management. Those arrested include: Divisional Commissioner Lieutenant-Gen Dumisani Khumalo
Chief Financial Officer Major-General Philani Lushaba
Gauteng Crime Intelligence Head Major-General Josias Lekalakala
Head of Analysis Centre Major-General Nosipho Madondo
Technology Services Major-General Zwelithini Gabela
Technical Systems Brigadier Dineo Mokwele
Head of Vetting Brigadier Phindile Ncube
The officials are facing charges of fraud and corruption linked to the appointment of an unqualified civilian in a senior post.
'These arrests raise grave concerns about systemic corruption within Crime Intelligence, particularly in relation to payroll fraud and the possible existence of ghost workers,' said De Villiers.
'It is reasonable to expect similar malpractice in payroll management... the possibility of irregular appointments, inflated headcounts, and unvetted recruits of 'ghost' employees is high.'
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In a letter addressed to the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, the chairperson called for National Treasury and the Public Service Commission to coordinate a full audit of the Crime Intelligence division within 90 days. The audit must verify the headcount against the actual number of personnel deployed and scrutinise all payments from the Secret Services Account, a classified fund used for covert operations and informant compensation.
De Villiers said the Secret Services Account 'has historically been flagged as highly vulnerable to abuse', that many of the arrested officials had direct responsibility for managing the fund.
He said there is serious concern that public money may have been used to 'fund fabricated operatives or fake intelligence activities.'
'Ghost-worker fraud in government is not isolated,' he said. 'It takes sophisticated collusion to create and maintain these ghost-worker employees, who operate like organised criminal syndicates embedded in our government systems.'
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