By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Crime intelligence boss Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo says crime intelligence remains the cornerstone of policing in South Africa, especially in the face of evolving organised crime.
Khumalo testified before the Madlanga commission of inquiry on Monday at the Brigitte Justice College in Tshwane.
Khumalo is the fifth witness to take the stand and focused on operational and administrative matters in the SA Police Service (SAPS).
The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system after allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commenced on September 17.
Mkhwanazi was the first to take the stand as a witness, with his testimony spanning over three days, delving deeper into his allegations.
National Commissioner Fannie Masemola was the second witness and testified that the directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) encroached on his mandate.
On Friday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for KZN, Advocate Elaine Harrison, informed the commission that she had learned about the disbandment of the PKTT through social media.
On Monday, 29 September, Khumalo, who led the task team, says the interventions in the SAPS have never been more important than nowadays, from the levels of threats that are from within,” he said.
In June 2025 Khumalo was charged with corruption by the independent directorate against corruption for the “irregular appointment” of Dineo Makwele in a senior crime intelligence post. Mkhwanazi has testified before the commission that the charges were brought as part of a witch-hunt to halt investigations and protect cartels.
Khumalo said under his leadership, performance in the division had improved, particularly in combating organised crime and he had gained an understanding of “sophisticated methods used by organised crime to compromise” the police service.
“In the division, I introduced a management style that has since proven to be effective, resulting in enhanced stability, more especially in the management level and improved compliance with various policies and cessation of resources and crime intelligence abuse,” he said.
He added that in the past, investigations were not yielding results. To fix this, his division developed a “tried and tested” strategy in December 2018, moving from investigator-led to analysis-led investigations. The new approach, he explained, uses analysts alongside investigators and prosecutors, applying an organised crime model that has improved case outcomes.
Khumalo said crime intelligence was now at a “crucial time”, with both internal threats and external criminal networks undermining the SAPS.
He also told the commission that Katiso Molefe and Vusumuzi Matlala are part of the Big 5 cartel dealing with drugs, tender fraud, contract killings and cross-border hijackings.
He said, the cartel has tapped into the political space and is working with politicians for personal benefit.
“The Big Five has already penetrated the political sphere and there are documented cases of high-profile connections in the political arena,” Khumalo said, adding that senior politicians are alleged to be complicit in the syndicate operations.
Khumalo warned that the cartel’s primary objective is to remain operational “for as long as possible,” and is actively securing influence by forging alliances with politicians, law enforcement officials, and business leaders.
Using symbolic imagery of skulls to represent three unnamed cartel members, Khumalo painted a grim picture of a country at risk of descending into lawlessness if these networks remain unchecked.
“This agenda will render the nation lawless,” he cautioned.
The cartel recruits members based on expertise in specific illicit trades, forming compact syndicates of between two and 12 individuals.
Khumalo is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Fullview learnt Matthew Chaskalson is set to take over as chief evidence leader for the commission, and a fourth advocate will be hired to join the team, which includes senior counsel Mahlape Sello and Adila Hassim.
This comes after Advocate Terry Motau has requested to step down as the commission’s evidence leader but we understand discussions are still ongoing and an announcement will be made soon.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is sitting with two commissioners, has a six-month deadline to deliver a report.
Motau will return to cross-examine Masemola in the second phase.
Chaskalson is a seasoned commission evidence leader – he has put in time at both the Marikana Commission of Inquiry and at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.