Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo has outlined five common characteristics of individuals involved in organized crime syndicates, describing them almost like “entry requirements.”
Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Thursday, Khumalo explained that South Africa faces evolving, cross-border organized crime networks. He listed the following traits typically seen in syndicate members:
1. Being a “habitual criminal” with a record of escalating offenses and the ability to evade punishment more than 50% of the time. This often involves having a contact within the justice system.
2. Tenderpreneurship – owning multiple local and international companies used for money laundering and to acquire firearms through registered security companies.
3. International reach and dual citizenship, which helps members evade local law enforcement and facilitates cross-border smuggling.
4. Proximity to power, including cultivated relationships with politicians, police, and business leaders to gain access to sensitive information. Khumalo noted some syndicate members operate within police ranks.
5. Protection from within the justice system, where corrupt officials act as an early-warning system for syndicates in exchange for payment.
Khumalo previously testified at the Madlanga Commission, where he named individuals allegedly part of a “Big 5 Cartel” involved in corruption and organized crime.
