KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has come out strongly in defense of Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, who is currently facing fraud and corruption charges. During his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Mkhwanazi suggested that the charges against Khumalo are not only baseless but part of a calculated smear campaign aimed at derailing ongoing investigations into powerful criminal syndicates operating in Gauteng.
Khumalo, arrested in June along with six other senior Crime Intelligence officials, is accused of unlawfully appointing Dineo Mokwele to a senior post within the intelligence unit despite her allegedly lacking policing experience. But according to Mkhwanazi, the real reason behind the arrest lies deeper—and is far more politically charged.
In his testimony, Mkhwanazi claimed that Khumalo was closing in on a sophisticated criminal network involving drug cartels and politically connected figures. He said that Khumalo had reached out to the KwaZulu-Natal political task team to support investigations into a series of high-profile murders in Gauteng, after the original investigating team began receiving death threats.
Mkhwanazi Alleges Plot to Sabotage Drug Cartel Investigations
Mkhwanazi painted a picture of a dangerous underworld where intimidation, political interference, and misinformation are used to destabilize sensitive investigations. He alleged that Khumalo was targeted not because of wrongdoing, but because he posed a threat to the operations of these criminal networks.
“The timing of the arrest and the manner in which confidential information was leaked to the public raises serious questions,” Mkhwanazi told the commission. “This wasn’t just about protocol. This was about silencing an officer who was getting too close to the truth.”
In a surprising twist, Mkhwanazi directly named two Members of Parliament — Fadiel Adams and Dianne Kohler Barnard — as key figures in the campaign against Khumalo. He accused them of misusing confidential information intended for the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and leaking it to the media instead.
“Maybe you might excuse, to some degree, Mr. Adams for being new in Parliament,” Mkhwanazi said, “but Miss Kohler Barnard is a veteran lawmaker who ought to understand what belongs where.”
The information in question reportedly related to the controversial appointment of Mokwele, which both MPs raised in public forums rather than through formal oversight channels.
Both Kohler Barnard and Adams have denied any wrongdoing and rejected Mkhwanazi’s assertions. They argue that their actions were taken in the public interest, and that Khumalo’s conduct warranted further scrutiny.
In statements released following the testimony, both MPs emphasized that they acted within their rights as public representatives and did not violate any parliamentary protocols. They are expected to appear before the commission to formally respond to the allegations in the coming days.
“I have always acted within the bounds of the law,” said Kohler Barnard. “Any claims to the contrary are an attempt to shift the focus away from real accountability.”
Khumalo and six others were arrested in connection with the irregular employment of Dineo Mokwele, who was reportedly appointed to a high-level intelligence position without meeting the necessary experience requirements. The appointment triggered internal concerns, and a preliminary investigation led to the fraud and corruption charges.
But Mkhwanazi insists that the appointment was not criminal, and that administrative procedures were manipulated to frame Khumalo. He argued that whistleblowers within the department should have taken concerns to the relevant oversight bodies, rather than leaking them to political players with possible ulterior motives.
“This wasn’t about justice,” Mkhwanazi emphasized. “It was about control.”
Mkhwanazi concluded his testimony on Friday, capping off a week of explosive revelations that have cast a shadow over the handling of high-level crime investigations in South Africa. On Monday, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is expected to take the stand, where he will likely face tough questions about the state of leadership within the police service and the fallout from Khumalo’s arrest.
Observers believe Masemola’s testimony could be pivotal in either substantiating or refuting the claims made by Mkhwanazi, particularly those relating to political interference and internal sabotage.
As the inquiry continues, Mkhwanazi’s testimony adds yet another layer to an already complex case involving high-level policing, alleged corruption, and political intrigue. Whether his defense of Khumalo will withstand scrutiny remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Mkhwanazi is not backing down.
His statements highlight growing concerns within the police service about external influence, the integrity of internal processes, and the safety of those investigating organized crime. The coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining not just Khumalo’s fate, but the future direction of Crime Intelligence in South Africa.
Source- EWN
