South Africa's construction industry faces backlash after deadly construction failures
Recent investigations into four tragic building incidents in South Africa, which resulted in 17 fatalities, reveal alarming weaknesses in construction oversight and enforcement.
South African prosecutors have dropped fraud and corruption charges against police intelligence chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and six other police officers. The charges stemmed from the alleged unlawful appointment of a civilian to a key post within the intelligence unit. Khumalo and his colleagues were arrested in June 2025 but denied the allegations and were not suspended.
The case was formally dismissed at a court in Pretoria after a review by the country's chief prosecutor. South Africa's police force has a history of political interference, corruption, and difficulty in addressing high levels of crime. A major judicial inquiry, the Madlanga Commission, is currently underway to investigate alleged police corruption, established last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations from a senior police officer.
Khumalo expressed relief after the charges were withdrawn, stating that the truth is now out. Prosecutors had argued that Dineo Mokwele, the appointed individual, was unqualified for her position, describing her as a "token appointment." However, in July, Andrea Johnson, a former head of a specialized unit in the National Prosecuting Authority, admitted that she was unaware of Mokwele's qualifications and apologized for her remarks.
Khumalo has headed Crime Intelligence since 2022, having previously served in various police units for over two decades.
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