Investigator Raphesu unveils Crime Intelligence investigations began amid secrecy and internal conflict at IDAC

By Johnathan Paoli

Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) investigator Mantsha Raphesu has revealed that the investigation into senior Crime Intelligence (CI) officials began under unusual circumstances, with key investigators allegedly knowing about the probe in advance, internal disputes over who would lead it, and senior managers being kept in the dark.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday, Raphesu said he had worked on the CI CFO Major-General Philani Lushaba house breaking and robbery case, the appointment of CI Technical Support Services head Brigadier Dineo Mokwele investigation and had been involved in ‘Operation Diversion’.

Following the referral by National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams into corruption, fraud and nepotism in the CI leadership, the IDAC investigator described an environment where investigators attempted to verify allegations beyond the contents of the referral, despite concerns over the limited information initially available.

Raphesu said prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy handed him the classified