Crime Intelligence chiefs say arrest threats are ‘politically motivated’

Two senior Crime Intelligence officers have told the Justice Minister that threats of arrest against them are driven by political infighting, not legitimate prosecution, according to IOL. The complaint, filed through Mahlanga INC, asks Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to intervene after confusion around an attempted arrest that was not carried out.

What happened at Brooklyn police station

According to IOL, both Head of Crime Intelligence Lt‑General Dumisani Khumalo and Major‑General Nozipho Madondo were instructed by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) to report to the Brooklyn police station with overnight bags in anticipation of arrest warrants. The two received a call that a warrant of arrest had been issued against them.

The generals waited for hours at the Brooklyn police station before being told by a senior investigator that management had ordered the operation not to proceed, IOL reported. The National Prosecuting Authority later clarified that the arrest warrants remained valid but their execution was put on hold.

Allegations in the complaint

In the complaint filed through Mahlanga INC, Khumalo and Madondo said investigators failed to take their warning statements, did not officially explain the basis of the new fraud and corruption allegations, and did not provide reasons why the arrests were postponed, according to IOL.

“Notwithstanding the phone call postponing the arrest, our clients nonetheless spent an hour at the Brooklyn police station, and no one from IDAC arrived, and our clients were never attended to. IDAC, through the media outlets, confirms that there is a warrant of arrest against Khumalo and Madondo, the arrest would be effected at any time against our clients,”

Claims of political motive and legal defence

The lawyers representing the generals told IOL they believe IDAC is “hell‑bent on arresting our clients on frivolous charges, all of which are intended to derail our clients from performing their lawful duties,” and argued the arrests are a pushback from certain quarters.

Mhlanga Inc Director Sihle Hlongwane told IOL that delaying the scheduled arrest at Brooklyn under the pretext of managing June 30 security threats is a deceptive tactic and a ruse. The lawyers said they have raised their concerns with the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions and IDAC and are awaiting answers.

Charges and defence claims

According to IOL, Khumalo, Madondo and three other senior officials are standing trial for fraud and corruption relating to the irregular hiring of Dineo Mokwele as a Brigadier in the Technical Support Services division. The allegations say Mokwele, a civilian, lacked the required qualifications, law‑enforcement experience and vetting clearance for the sensitive intelligence post.

The attorneys told IOL that Mokwele’s appointment was approved by the national commissioner and was in line with National Instruction 3 of 2005, 10 and 11 of 2017, and argued that IDAC has no prospects of success in proving charges against the five. They described the continued prosecution as malicious and said it has significant undertones of political infighting within the security cluster, IOL reported.

Official responses

According to IOL, Department of Justice spokesperson Palesa Rammitlwa said Kubayi will issue a statement on the matter in due course. IOL reported that IDAC spokesperson Henry Mmamothame and Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi did not respond.

What the generals want

The complaint sent to Minister Kubayi and copied to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia asks for intervention and clarity. The lawyers said to IOL that, from their perspective, ministerial attention is required to protect the integrity of the NPA and IDAC and to guard against what they characterise as gross rights violations.