Top cops nabbed for fraud out on bail
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's crime intelligence unit is supposed to be at the forefront of crime fighting, and prevention.
But for decades, some of its secretive operations have compromised its mandate, to keep South Africans safe.
And now head of the unit Dumisani Khumalo and five other senior officials, are out on R10,000 bail each and face corruption charges.
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IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Home Affairs investigating claims of mothers selling their children's birth certificates to foreigners
The department of Home Affairs will launch an investigation into the selling of children's birth certificates. Image: SAPS The Department of Home Affairs is probing allegations that mothers are selling their children's original birth certificates to foreigners after several instances came to lights where 18-year olds tried to apply for ID documents and couldn't produce their original birth certificates. The first cases came to light in Cape Town when the manager for Home Affairs in Mitchells Plain, Shereen Meyer, mentioned it in a community meeting attended by stakeholders and residents. Meyer, confirmed to Weekend Argus that an internal investigation was underway after the matter came to the department's attention when several learners applying for their identity documents (IDs) in matric were unable to produce birth certificates. 'Our citizenship is not to be sold,' said Meyer firmly during the meeting, warning of the seriousness of such offences. The Department of Home Affairs since confirmed it is investigating the claims. Siyabulela Qoza, spokesperson for the department, said they were aware of three such cases and were probing whether more instances may have occurred. He also confirmed that, from what they have seen, the incidents do not appear to be stemming from the office- referencing that there is no involvement of employees. 'We found that the mothers are selling their kids birth certificates without the knowledge of Home Affairs, especially when they come for replacements - and they get questioned. "We do not feel comfortable that this is happening and will launch a national investigation, based on what we are able to find we will determine what will need to happen.' South Africans have been the victims of identity fraud since the dawn of democracy when illegal immigrants tried to obtain South African ID's, birth cerficates, marriage certificates and other documents in a bid to stay in the country legally. This sometimes happened with the help of corrupt Home Affairs officials. There were instances where women were duped into marriages or discovered that they were married when their ID's were stolen or cloned. This is not only a national problem, but an international problem as was reported before when the The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned that identity fraud and theft had become the No 1 white collar crime in America. Qoza also reassured that there are no instances where two people share one identity document. The alleged selling of children's birth certificates has drawn fierce condemnation from public officials, including Mitchells Plain constituency head Ricardo Mackenzie, who labelled the claims 'disgusting.' 'It is disgusting that mommies are doing this. What makes it even more sad, because now the children have to suffer,' he said. Mackenzie added that he would be writing to the Minister of Home Affairs to demand urgent intervention and explore steps to address the issue and prevent future occurrences. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has also responded to the revelations. While its Metro South District office has not received official reports regarding such cases, WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond acknowledged that delays in the processing of IDs and other documentation remained a challenge for many families. 'The identity number of a learner is a compulsory field as per the National Examination System,' Hammond said. 'Learners are encouraged to apply for their Identity Documents (IDs) in Grade 10. In the interim, the birth certificate number must be used.'She added that schools are urged to guide parents on how to apply for IDs through the DHA. In instances where learners cannot obtain an ID in time for their final exams, schools can support by providing temporary photo identification and registering learners using their date of birth, along with a unique examination number. The investigation is expected to cast a wider net in the coming weeks, as the DHA probes whether this alleged practice extends beyond the three confirmed cases. [email protected] Weekend Argus
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Crime Intelligence COO to remain in police custody after failure to disclose pending case against him
JOHANNESBURG - Crime Intelligence chief financial officer Philani Lushaba will remain in police custody following his failure to disclose that he has a pending case against him. Lushaba appeared alongside six crime intelligence senior officials, including the unit's head, Dumisani Khumalo, in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Friday. They were arrested on Thursday by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), facing charges of fraud and corruption. The matter relates to the appointment of Dineo Mokwele to the position of technical support system manager, a highly specialised division within Crime Intelligence responsible for national covert operations. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained: 'Khumalo, Madondo, Lekalakala, Gabela, Ncube and Mokwele were granted R10,000 bail. They were ordered not to enter any premises of crime intelligence. 'Meanwhile, Lushaba will remain in custody as his matter is a schedule 6 criminal offence, owing to his pending case, and such did not reflect in his affidavit presented to the court for bail application… IDAC is ready to proceed with the trial.'
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Crime intelligence boss and co-accused granted bail
The head of crime intelligence, Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, along with some of his co-accused, was each granted R10,000 bail by the Pretoria magistrate's court on Friday. They are facing charges of fraud and corruption relating to the appointment of an unqualified civilian in a senior post in the SAPS. Their court appearance follows their arrest on Thursday by the NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Khumalo is charged with Maj-Gen Philani Lushaba (CFO at crime intelligence), Maj-Gen Nosipho Precious Madondo (component head of intelligence analysis and co-ordination), Maj-Gen Josias Lekalaka (Gauteng provincial head: crime intelligence), Maj-Gen Zwelithini Gabela (technical management services), Brig Phindile Ncube (section head: personnel security — vetting) and Brig Dineo Mokwele. Their charges relate to the alleged irregular employment of Mokwele in the senior ranking position of brigadier in the technical support services (TSS). According to Investigative Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, it is alleged that Khumalo acting in common purpose with his co-accused were involved in the irregular appointment of Mokwele. 'They are further accused of flouting the vetting process which is critical in the appointment of senior officials within the SAPS, particularly the crime intelligence division which deals with sensitive and confidential information. This case forms part of IDAC's broader mandate of investigating fraud and corruption within government entities to prevent state capture through these critical entities,' Mamothame said. Khumalo, Madondo, Lekalakala, Gabela, Ncube and Mokwele were granted R10,000 bail. They were ordered not to enter any premises belonging to crime intelligence. Mamothame said Lushaba would remain in custody as his matter was a schedule 6 criminal offence, owing to his pending case, and this did not reflect in his affidavit presented to the court for the bail application. The case has been postponed to August 13 for disclosure of the docket. TimesLIVE
