Should SAPS bosses undergo lifestyle audits? Ian Cameron reacts to arrest of crime intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo

The South African Police Service (SAPS) divisional commissioner for crime intelligence, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo is on Friday expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after he was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday.

In an interview with IOL, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said apart from Khumalo, there are other senior SAPS officers arrested and it seems there are more arrests on the way.

IOL understands Khumalo appeared before the court on Friday morning, facing charges relating to corruption, after he was nabbed by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

“Firstly, it is important to say we welcome the arrest of several SAPS senior officers that happened yesterday (Thursday). I think it is likely the tip of the iceberg, I think they might be more coming. 

“Just as a recommendation from our side, the Portfolio Committee on Police, we feel strongly that there must be a far bigger inquiry to institute Section 34 inquiries per the SA Police Service Act to determine the fitness to hold office of many, many senior officers. I think over the years, a lot of unwanted elements have entered the South African Police Service for the wrong reasons and they have become part and parcel of the organised crime problem that we see,” Cameron told IOL.

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He emphasised that the rule of law and due process must apply to all citizens, and the accused people be given fair opportunity to defend themselves before the courts.

“It is also important for us, from the portfolio committee’s point of view, that lifestyle audits, Section 34 inquiries and simple integrity tests are done to determine whether there is any further involvement with serious misconduct, especially criminal misconduct in the South African Police Service.

“It really is an indictment on the management of the SAPS that so many senior officers could be arrested and charged for what seems to be corruption without them (the management) knowing what was going on. I unfortunately do not believe that they didn't know. I think for a very long time, things have been happening but were simply not attended to,” said Cameron.

Last month, IOL reported that Major-General Philani Lushaba, the Chief Financial Officer of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence unit, had allegedly vanished just as authorities were preparing to question him about his involvement in financial misconduct linked to properties valued at over R45 million.

According to the Democratic Alliance (DA) member of Parliament, Dianne Kohler Barnard, Lushaba failed to report for duty on the morning of 6 June.

Barnard said the alleged disappearance comes just as the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate sought to question him, reportedly over a multi-million Rand property scandal.

At the heart of the scandal, are two high-value acquisitions: a luxury boutique hotel in Pretoria North, purchased for R22.7 million, and a commercial property in Berea, Durban, acquired for R22.8 million.

Lushaba was later arrested, and according to IOL sources, he was set to appear alongside Khumalo and other SAPS top officials in court on Friday.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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