By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has granted Dumisani Khumalo, head of the Crime Intelligence division within the South African Police Service (Saps) bail of R10 000.
Khumalo was apprehended on Thursday at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Khumalo, appointed in December 2022, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday alongside six co-accused.
All face charges of corruption and fraud.
The co-accused are Crime Intelligence’s chief financial officer Philani Lushaba, Gauteng head of Crime Intelligence Josias Lekalakala, head of the Crime Intelligence’s analysis centre Nozipho Madondo, technical support system manager in Crime Intelligence Dineo Mokwele, Sydney Gabela from the Saps technology service department, and Phindile Ncube, who heads the Saps vetting office.
Khumalo and four of his colleagues were granted R10,000 bail each.
The remaining accused, Lushaba, who has another pending case, was not granted bail on a technicality.
Fullview understands they’re accused of unlawful acquisition of two high-value properties.
The properties in question include a boutique hotel in Pretoria North, Gauteng purchased for R22.7 million, and a commercial building in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), valued at R22.8 million.
Both acquisitions are alleged to have been made without the requisite ministerial approval.
In addition, Khumalo’s arrest is linked to the controversial appointment of a 29-year-old woman as a police brigadier, despite her reported lack of experience in the field.
During Friday’s proceedings, it was heard that the State would not oppose the officers’ release on bail.
Reasons for that included that all their addresses and employment had been confirmed and they were not viewed as flight risks.
Investigations in the matter had also been finalised, however other investigations involving some of those in the dock are ongoing.
Khumalo was sombre, cracking a slight smile when the magistrate made a funny reference relating to handing in a document.
A legal representative said Khumalo planned to plead not guilty, denied the allegations against him and would disclose his defence at the trial.
While standing, Khumalo confidently confirmed what had been read out.
It was heard he proposed his release on bail of R1,000, but the magistrate wanted to know what his net salary was, the type of car he drove, and how much his house was worth.
The magistrate said bail was not what one had in their pocket, but more about what they earned.
Lawyers for the other accused also read out basic statements on their behalf, including that they would not destroy evidence.
The case has been postponed to 13 August.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the South African Police service, Athlenda Mathe said the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola was concerned over the seriousness of the allegations against the senior officers.
Mathe said, at this stage, the senior officers have not been suspended pending the receipt of the report by the Investigating Directorate by the national police commissioner.