Crime Intelligence Chief Dumisani Khumalo Returns to Madlanga Commission Amid Legal Battles

Back in the Spotlight: Khumalo Returns to Testify

After a sudden illness forced him to leave the witness stand on October 1, 2025, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, has returned to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The commission, tasked with probing alleged political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system, resumed proceedings with Khumalo’s testimony as a central focus.

Details of Khumalo’s illness remain private, though he was briefly hospitalised and later discharged to recover at home. His reappearance comes at a critical time, with his leadership under renewed scrutiny amid ongoing legal and professional challenges.

From PKTT to Courtrooms

Khumalo was the third witness to appear before the commission, following KwaZulu-Natal police boss Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola. During his initial testimony, Khumalo highlighted the successes of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) under his command, which has been credited with tackling politically motivated crimes.

But outside the commission, Khumalo has faced mounting legal pressures. Just two weeks after his medical episode, he appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court with two co-accused in a fraud and corruption case. Khumalo, along with five senior Crime Intelligence officials, is accused of irregularly appointing 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele to an executive position within the unit, despite her lack of policing experience.

He is currently contesting bail conditions that prevent him from returning to work, though delays in the court proceedingsincluding a recusal by the presiding magistrate, have prolonged the process. His application to relax the bail restrictions is expected to be heard later this month.

A Tense Public Spotlight

Khumalo’s return to the commission has sparked a wave of public and social media discussion. Many South Africans have expressed concern over the apparent intersection of high-level police leadership, political influence, and allegations of corruption. Commentators note that the Madlanga Commission is now under pressure to balance transparency with the ongoing criminal investigations surrounding key witnesses.

The scrutiny on Crime Intelligence leadership is further intensified by recent events in Gauteng. IOL reported that authorities were investigating an apparent hit targeting controversial businessman and political fixer Brown Mogotsi in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, highlighting the volatile environment in which senior police officials operate.

What This Means for Crime Intelligence

Khumalo’s testimony and ongoing legal battles cast a shadow over the Crime Intelligence unit at a time when public trust in the SAPS is fragile. The commission’s findings could have far-reaching implications for leadership accountability, oversight, and the handling of politically sensitive cases in South Africa.

For now, Khumalo remains in the eye of the storm, navigating both legal challenges and the high-stakes inquiry that has captivated the nation.

{Source: IOL}

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