Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) Senior Investigator, Colonel Brian Padayachee has dismissed Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s claims that he influenced investigations which include the criminal charges against Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo.
On Tuesday, 14 July Padayachee testified before the Madlanga Commission, and he described the allegations as baseless and he insisted he was not involved in any alleged faction accused of manipulating cases.
“I deny these allegations. They are baseless and devoid of merit. The IDAC has sufficient evidence to sustain the charges in the criminal case against Khumalo and other officials at Crime Intelligence,” Padayachee said.
He told the commission the matter remains before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and said suggestions that the investigation was driven by hidden agendas or political motives were false.
“I deny as baseless any allegations of political interference or hidden agendas in respect of the investigations conducted by the IDAC against these senior officers within Crime Intelligence and SAPS,” he said.
Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on June 26, 2025, on fraud and corruption charges linked to the alleged appointment of 30-year-old civilian Dineo Mokwele to a senior brigadier position in the SAPS Technical Support Services unit.
Khumalo clarified at the commission that the unit was not looking for a traditional career cop but rather someone fit for the role.
He argued Mokwele was highly qualified in mechatronics and industrial engineering (skills she used as an engineer at BMW), which made her uniquely suited to handle covert technological operations.
The state alleged Khumalo and six co-accused ignored mandatory vetting and background checks to fast-track the appointment.
Khumalo is currently out of bail and arrest warrants have been put on hold pending an independent review by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
