Johnathan Paoli
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson has denied that Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo was arrested “dramatically” or because of his role in the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Appearing before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, Johnson alleged that IDAC investigations followed complaints pointing to the capture of Crime Intelligence through strategically placed appointments, which she described as indicative of state capture.
ALSO READ: Judgment delayed in deadly Usindiso arson trial
“The evidence before this Commission is that Lt. Gen. Khumalo was arrested in a dramatic fashion. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is important that I address this aspect as well,” Johnson said.
She said Khumalo was arrested on 26 June 2025 at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) after landing on a flight and that only two senior IDAC investigators, Sunil Bellochun and Ayanda Mbalo, executed the warrant.
“The investigators went to ORTIA to inform General Khumalo that there was a warrant for his arrest and for him to hand himself over. They had a warrant of arrest for him. Warrants of arrest had also been sought and obtained for his co-accused before they were requested to hand themselves over at the Brooklyn SAPS,” Johnson said.
She told the commission that Khumalo cooperated fully throughout the process, that his security detail remained with him throughout the journey and that investigators accommodated his requests.
“On the way from ORTIA to Brooklyn Police Station, the investigators had occasion to stop and get something to drink from a filling station at the request of Lt. Gen. Khumalo for himself,” Johnson said.
“Lt. Gen. Khumalo personally thanked Chief Investigator Perumal for treating him and the other co-accused in a respectful and dignified manner. This talks to anything but the conduct of a unit that is motivated by ulterior motives, other than to address alleged criminality,” she added.
ALSO READ: Civic coalition asks Madlanga to call Ramaphosa to testify
Johnson also dismissed claims that Khumalo had been targeted because of his role as coordinator of the PKTT.
“I would be remiss if I do not dismiss the suggestion that Lt. Gen. Khumalo was arrested because he was the coordinator of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). This suggestion is anything but true. It is as false as it is unfortunate,” she said.
She said the investigation related solely to Khumalo’s position as head of Crime Intelligence.
“The fact that Lt Gen. Khumalo also held another portfolio, in relation to the PKTT, was not within our knowledge. At no stage was I, as head of IDAC, aware that Lt Gen. Khumalo had anything to do with the PKTT, let alone being its convenor,” Johnson said.
The commission also heard that the investigation originated from a Section 27 referral under the National Prosecuting Authority Act submitted by National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams.
Johnson maintained that his referral was treated no differently from others, adding that four dockets were obtained from SAPS before investigators analysed the evidence.
She said IDAC investigators and prosecutors concluded that the evidence established a prima facie case warranting prosecution and pointed to broader patterns of alleged corruption within Crime Intelligence.
According to Johnson, a series of referrals alleged the manipulation of recruitment processes, the appointment of people without suitable qualifications to senior strategic posts in the Crime Intelligence division, the bypassing of mandatory vetting procedures and the use of appointments as a form of gratification for alleged collusion in the subsequent looting of state funds.
ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi claims former relationship with Witness K behind allegations in R14.9m gems case
Johnson argued that, when considered collectively, the cases pointed to systemic corruption rather than isolated misconduct.
“When one looks at all the cases referred to IDAC by Mr. Adams, they depict the capture of systems and processes for private interests by the Head of CI and other senior managers. The picture that has emerged is that the appointment and installation of certain persons in certain positions within the CIU by Lieutenant General Khumalo and his co-accused persons helped them strategically to access funding without following proper processes,” she said.
The commission continues.
