Parliament questions credibility of Hlungwani’s crime intelligence claims

By Johnathan Paoli

Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption and political interference has questioned the credibility of former Crime Intelligence financial services head Tiyani Hlungwani, with both the committee chair and evidence leader expressing concern about the timing, scope and evidentiary support for his sweeping claims.

Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane repeatedly challenged Hlungwani on what he described as conjecture, moral judgements and selective credibility assessments, while evidence leader and senior counsel Norman Arendse said he was “quite disappointed” by the manner in which serious allegations had been placed before the committee.

“We are now at the tail end of these hearings and you come with far-reaching allegations against senior officials who have not had an opportunity to respond,” Arendse told Hlungwani.

Despite those concerns, Hlungwani used his testimony to advance grave allegations against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, whom he accused of orchestrating irregular appointments, manipulating security clearance