In a surprising development, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the police’s Crime Intelligence division, has been cleared of wrongdoing by an internal police investigation. This is despite the fact he is currently on trial for serious corruption charges.
Khumalo was arrested in June 2025 along with six other senior police officials. They face charges of fraud and corruption related to the irregular appointment of a brigadier and the alleged looting of a R600 million secret police fund.
The revelation of his internal clearance came during a court hearing where Khumalo was applying for easier bail conditions. His lawyer read an affidavit stating that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had found no evidence of misconduct.
The public reaction has been mixed. Many people expressed anger and disbelief on social media, calling it a cover-up. Others were hopeful that if he is innocent, he can now focus on making the country safer.
Political parties have also responded. The EFF called the clearance proof of a broken system, while the DA demanded that the internal report be made public for full transparency.
It is important to note that the internal clearance does not end his criminal trial. Khumalo and his co-accused must still face the court case. This situation has left many South Africans deeply skeptical about the integrity of their police service and the justice system.