By: Saneliso Mlambo
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has provisionally withdrawn the fraud and corruption case against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and his co-accused before they entered pleas in court. The decision follows a directive by National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi, who said the matter cannot proceed until the investigation is complete and the evidentiary record is finalised.
The charges were withdrawn against Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Major-General Nozipho Madondo and the remaining accused. According to the NPA, the case may only be reinstated with the written approval of the NDPP after further investigations are concluded. If the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) later recommends prosecution, the accused will first be given an opportunity to respond before any further legal action is taken.
The case centres on allegations linked to appointments within the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence division. The matter had previously been described by IDAC as trial-ready, but proceedings were delayed after representations were submitted to the NDPP seeking a review of the decision to prosecute.
The withdrawal comes days after former IDAC head Andrea Johnson resigned from office following intense scrutiny over her testimony before the Madlanga Commission. During the commission, Johnson withdrew a key claim relating to Brigadier Mokwele’s qualifications, raising questions about aspects of the prosecution’s case.
A provisional withdrawal is not an acquittal. It means the prosecution has ended the current case for now but retains the option to reinstate charges in future if it believes there is sufficient evidence and the necessary approvals have been obtained.