THE NPA WITHDRAWS THE FRAUD AND CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST LIEUTENANT GENERAL KHUMALO AND OTHERS

Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has formally withdrawn the charges against the Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo photo supplied

By Kaizer Kganyago
NPA National Spokesperson

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has formally withdrawn the charges against the Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, Major General Philani Lushaba (CFO at Crime Intelligence), Major General Nosipho Precious Madondo (Component Head of Intelligence Analysis and Co-ordination), Major General Josias Lekalakala (Gauteng Provincial Head: Crime Intelligence), Major General Zwelithini Gabela (Technical Management Services), Brigadier Phindile Ncube (Section Head: Personnel Security – Vetting and Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, after they were arrested and charged for corruption.

This follows a decision by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv Andy Mothibi, to invoke Section 179 (5) (c) of the Constitution read with Section 22(2) (b) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act 32 of 1998.

These provisions allow the NDPP to intervene in any prosecution process when policy directives are not complied with.

The NDPP considered evidence gathered through investigations submitted by IDAC, representations submitted by the accused legal representatives and several factors relating to the matter including undisputed evidence tendered during the IDAC stream of the investigation before the Madlanga Commission that is currently underway, pointing to serious irregularities on the handling of the case.

The NDPP is aware that no findings have yet been made on the evidence placed before the Commission as no report has been submitted to the President.

However, he took the view that the interests of justice and integrity of the IDAC and by extension, the NPA, will be safeguarded with a decision to intervene as permitted by the Constitution and the NPA Act.

In addition to the withdrawal of this case, the NPA has initiated disciplinary processes against the three suspended IDAC officials who were implicated in the Commission for their alleged improper conduct relating to this case.

The NPA has started the process to reset IDAC, putting in place plans to reform and reposition the unit to discharge its mandate optimally.

Amongst these reforms are the lifestyle audits that are currently underway, skills and qualifications audit of all employees of IDAC to ensure that the required skilled personnel are placed correctly and are fit for purpose, ensuring that there are processes that are put in place to enable a consistent way of dealing with matters.

These reforms are also meant to inspire public confidence in the institution, to ensure that it operates within the prescripts of the law and fulfils its mandate as announced by the Minister and NDPP at a press briefing on 30 July 2026.

The process to appoint an acting Investigating Director (ID) is ongoing and it is given the urgency that it requires.

After all the processes are finalised, there will be communication to the public.