Corruption charges dropped against South Africa’s police intelligence boss

South African prosecutors have withdrawn fraud and corruption charges against Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, the criminal intelligence chief, and six other police officers. The charges stemmed from the alleged unlawful appointment of Dineo Mokwele, a civilian, to a key post within the intelligence unit. Khumalo and his colleagues were arrested in June 2025 and denied the charges, which were subsequently dropped at a court in Pretoria following a review by the country’s chief prosecutor.

South Africa's police force has faced issues of political interference, alleged corruption, and an inability to effectively combat crime. A judicial inquiry, the Madlanga Commission, is currently investigating alleged police corruption, established last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Khumalo expressed relief that the truth was now out, and prosecutors had claimed Mokwele was unqualified for the position and called her a "token appointment."

However, it was later revealed that Mokwele was well-qualified with about a dozen certificates to her name.