Call for audit into SAPS Crime Intelligence following arrests of senior officials
Image: Screenshot from video.
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.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
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.'
THE MERCURY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Two cops granted R3000 bail over truck looting incident
An ongoing investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder has led to multiple arrests, including police officers. Image: File Limpopo police have intensified their investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder, arresting two more suspects, bringing the total to five, including three officers implicated in the crime. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that two more suspects, aged 39 and 51, were arrested at their homes on July 25 for their role in the July 14 looting of washing powder from a cargo truck. The pair are members of the public who allegedly took part in the brazen theft. Previously, The Star reported on how a cargo truck transporting washing powder veered off the road, causing its load to spill onto the road. As the driver attempted to manage the scene, chaos broke out, with bystanders, two police officers, and a SAPS cleaner allegedly seen helping themselves to the scattered goods. Instead of assisting, the officers reportedly loaded the detergent into a marked police vehicle and drove off, ignoring the driver's pleas to stop the looting. The driver, however, managed to gather critical information, which helped spark an investigation and led to several arrests. Some of the stolen items were later found at the residence of one of the implicated police officers. Ledwaba added that the three suspects, all employed by SAPS in Modimolle, were arrested for theft and defeating the ends of justice. They have since appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on July 25, where they were each granted bail. Their next court appearance is set for October 2. "Warrant Officer Frans Ndlovu (55) and Warrant Officer Lesiba Boya (49) were granted bail of R3000 each. Meanwhile, Cleaner Lucas Moima (50) was granted R5000 bail. They will appear again on 02 October 2025 for further Police investigation." The two newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in the local Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, to face theft charges. The Star [email protected]
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Two cops granted R3000 bail over truck looting incident
Masabata Mkwananzi | Published 20 minutes ago Limpopo police have intensified their investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder, arresting two more suspects, bringing the total to five, including three officers implicated in the crime. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that two more suspects, aged 39 and 51, were arrested at their homes on July 25 for their role in the July 14 looting of washing powder from a cargo truck. The pair are members of the public who allegedly took part in the brazen theft. Previously, The Star reported on how a cargo truck transporting washing powder veered off the road, causing its load to spill onto the road. As the driver attempted to manage the scene, chaos broke out, with bystanders, two police officers, and a SAPS cleaner allegedly seen helping themselves to the scattered goods. Instead of assisting, the officers reportedly loaded the detergent into a marked police vehicle and drove off, ignoring the driver's pleas to stop the looting. The driver, however, managed to gather critical information, which helped spark an investigation and led to several arrests. Some of the stolen items were later found at the residence of one of the implicated police officers. Ledwaba added that the three suspects, all employed by SAPS in Modimolle, were arrested for theft and defeating the ends of justice. They have since appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on July 25, where they were each granted bail. Their next court appearance is set for October 2. " Warrant Officer Frans Ndlovu (55) and Warrant Officer Lesiba Boya (49) were granted bail of R3000 each. Meanwhile, Cleaner Lucas Moima (50) was granted R5000 bail. They will appear again on 02 October 2025 for further Police investigation. " The two newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in the local Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, to face theft charges. The Star [email protected]
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA
Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, are facing extradition to South Africa to stand trial on multiple serious charges, including fraud and rape Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court during their bail application on 4 November 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. The NPA said the affidavit forms part of the documents in the case docket that was disclosed to the defence for the accused to prepare for their trial. Witness endangering NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana slammed the leaking of the document which contains the witness's full personal details and even her photograph published by a media outlet 'It is very concerning as this leaked affidavit has the potential to compromise the state's case. It also endangers the life of the state witness because her full details, including a photo of her, were published in the media,' she said. Mahanjana said the case was set down for trial to commence on 14 October 2024, almost a year ago. 'However, the case has been met with numerous interlocutory applications by some of the accused attempting to delay the trial. None of these interlocutory applications were successful. Despite all these applications, the state has always maintained its readiness to start with the trial,' Mahanjana said. ALSO READ: Bushiris file application to set aside ruling ordering extradition to SA Media houses She urged media houses to exercise restraint and act in the public interest without compromising legal processes or endangering individuals involved in the case. 'We therefore urge the media to be responsible when exercising their mandate to produce news to keep the public informed to do so without jeopardising the rights of the witnesses who will be called to testify.' Mahanjana did not disclose whether an investigation into the source of the leak is underway. Bushiri's Bushiri and his co-accused face at least six charges, including rape, violating bail conditions and contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Banking Act, Civil Aviation Act and Immigration Act. Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, fled to Malawi in November 2020, after being granted bail of R200 000 each under strict conditions by the Pretoria Central Magistrate's Court. The case is set down for trial on 4 August 2025. ALSO READ: Bushiri celebrates reduced charges, but can they be reinstated? Malawi's attorney general explains
