JOHANNESBURG (Kaab TV) – South Africa’s head of criminal intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, has been arrested on allegations of fraud and corruption, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the country’s law enforcement community.
Lt-Gen Khumalo was apprehended on Thursday evening by members of the anti-corruption unit upon his arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, according to local media.
He appeared in court in Pretoria on Friday alongside six other senior police officers. All seven are reportedly linked to an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of intelligence funds and irregular appointments within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Their legal representative told the court that the group intends to plead not guilty to the charges.
While full details of the case remain unclear, this marks the second major round of arrests within the SAPS Crime Intelligence unit in less than two weeks. Three additional senior officials are already facing charges of corruption and misconduct.
The arrests have intensified scrutiny on the integrity of the Crime Intelligence unit, which is mandated to combat organized crime and internal threats. Critics argue that the wave of scandals is eroding public trust in law enforcement.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, welcomed the arrests, describing them as a necessary step towards restoring credibility in a unit “on the brink of collapse.”
“This points to yet another serious breach of trust within a critical state institution,” the party said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters said the arrest of Lt-Gen Khumalo was “not an isolated scandal” but part of a broader pattern of systemic failure, calling for a structural overhaul of the country’s policing system.
Lt-Gen Khumalo was appointed as the head of Crime Intelligence in 2022, following more than 20 years of service in various SAPS departments.
Corruption allegations against senior police officials have long plagued the SAPS, further damaging public confidence in the force.