Senior police official Dumisani Khumalo has been re-instated as head of Crime Intelligence in a decision that has brought up serious debate in the country, surveying as an active criminal. The controversial move that was upheld by the top officials of South African Police Service (SAPS) has attracted the attention of civil society organisations, security experts, and political parties that claim the reinstatement poses a threat to the confidence of the citizens in the leadership framework of the police.
Khumalo, who had worked at the same post, was suspended after being accused on misconduct and a criminal act. Despite the fact that the case is still pending in the courts, the management of SAPS decided to reinstate him back to his job citing procedural factors and internal policy issues. Insiders have said that the reinstatement came after a review, which revealed some administrative discrepancies in the process of his first suspension, which gave him an opportunity to be reinstated.
According to the legal experts, there is no statutory rule that the decision has breached but they doubt the transparency and the timing of the move. They state that putting some high ranking officer who still has unresolved charges to hold a strong position on intelligence sets a very dangerous precedent. One analyst said that Crime Intelligence is the brain of national security. The idea of restoring a person whose status is questionable according to the law leaves the matter of integrity and stability of operations concerning.
Political parties who are against the ruling party have requested an immediate briefing by the police minister Senzo Mchunu and demand the explanation of why the issue was dealt with in house without publicity. They claim that the confidentiality with reinstatement will only hurt SAPS reputation more especially when citizens are still not quite sure about policing.
Civic organizations have raised the same voice and demanded that the top leadership roles should be based on the best possible ethical principles. They caution that the ruling may deter future whistle-blowing exercises and may strengthen the attitude of discrepancy in misconduct cases in the police service with regard to their treatment.
SAPS has been supporting the reinstatement arguing that Khumalo is innocent until proven guilty as any other citizen. They also highlighted his coming back has no impact on any current legal process and that internal checks were observed as well.
The reinstatement remains a contentious area of the case despite the course of case as the issue of accountability, transparency, and a balancing act between the law and the demands of the people of South Africa remains uncertain in the policing environment in South Africa.