The Independent Policing Union of South Africa (Ipusa) has welcomed the arrest of SAPS Divisional Commissioner for crime intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, among others, on Thursday.

Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on charges of corruption.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed the arrest.

“He has been arrested by the Investigative Directorate (ID). What for, I don’t know.”

Ipusa President Bethuel Nkuna said the union’s leadership welcomes the recent arrests of top police intelligence officials by the ID within the National Prosecution Authority (NPA).

“These arrests, considered a significant step towards rooting out corruption and restoring integrity within law enforcement agencies, mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against internal corruption within the SAPS,” he said.

Nkuna said in recent years, numerous reports have surfaced indicating deep-seated corruption within police intelligence.

“These reports have pointed to instances of misuse of power and unethical conduct by senior officials entrusted with the duty to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in maintaining public safety. The exposure of these malpractices has eroded public trust and undermined the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.”

According to Nkuna, the arrests were carried out following extensive investigations by the ID.

“The arrests of the Head of Division: Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Khumalo and his associates yesterday, add to the list of crime intelligence Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Major General Lushaba, and his associates who were arrested last week,” he said.

Among those detained are several other high-ranking officers implicated in various illegal activities, including defeating the ends of justice, perjury, and corruption, he said.

Nkuna noted that the ranks and positions of those arrested highlight the gravity of the situation.

“One of the primary goals of these arrests is to restore public trust in law enforcement. Ipusa recognises that public confidence is essential for effective policing and believes that rooting out corruption will pave the way for more ethical and transparent practices,” he said.

Ipusa called for continued vigilance and stringent measures to ensure that integrity is upheld within the police force.

“Ipusa hopes this will lead to comprehensive reforms within the police intelligence division, including the implementation of more robust oversight mechanisms by the Inspector General of Intelligence (IGI) and other structures such as the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence in Parliament.”

Ipusa also highlighted the importance of supporting whistle-blowers who risk their careers and personal safety to expose corruption.

“The union has called for enhanced protection and incentives for whistle-blowers to ensure that they can come forward without fear of retaliation.”

The union also called for increased cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and civil society organisations to identify and address systemic issues within the police force.

Nkuna said it is time for the SAPS management to show the public that they are prepared to rid the department of its members whose conduct brings the image of the service into disrepute.

“Ipusa urges General Masemola to urgently charge them under Regulation 9 and finalise the process as quickly as possible, but ensure that the principle of having a fair and impartial hearing is observed,” he said.

Speaking on X, Ian Cameron, chair of Parliament’s Police Portfolio Committee, said the arrest of Khumalo has sent more shockwaves through the policing community in SA after Lushaba was arrested a few weeks ago.

“This development again raises serious concerns about the integrity and leadership crisis within SAPS senior management. I repeat, a skills audit, integrity audit, and urgent review of management is essential,” he stated.

According to the SAPS, Khumalo was appointed in 2022. He joined the service in 1991 as a student constable and had, prior to his promotion, served within the Operational Response Services (ORS) as well as Crime Intelligence (CI) environments for the past 26 years.

From 2006 to 2018, he served as a component head for National Operational Coordination (NOC), where he was responsible for the integrated deployment of resources to crime hotspot areas throughout the country.

Due to his meticulous information gathering and analysis skills, the officer was assigned to lead intelligence-driven investigations in KwaZulu-Natal from 2018 to 2022.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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