The case against South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo and six co-accused has been postponed once again, with the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court setting 03 September 2026 as the next court date pending the outcome of representations submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
On Friday, the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) confirmed that Khumalo and five of the accused lodged formal representations with the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) during the week the matter was due to be transferred to a higher court for trial.
The accused are facing charges of fraud and corruption linked to the alleged irregular appointment of an unqualified civilian within the Crime Intelligence Division of the SAPS.
According to the prosecution, investigations into the matter have already been completed, and prosecutors are ready to proceed to trial.
“Investigations have been completed and the NPA’s IDAC is ready to ventilate the matter in a trial court,” said IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
Khumalo’s legal troubles began in June 2025 when he was dramatically arrested at OR Tambo International Airport by members of the NPA’s anti-corruption unit. Authorities at the time confirmed that the arrest formed part of a wider investigation into alleged corruption and irregular appointments within Crime Intelligence.
The senior police official appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court a day later alongside six other senior SAPS officers. Those charged with him include Major-General Philani Lushaba, Major-General Nosipho Madondo, Major-General Josias Lekalaka, Major-General Zwelithini Gabela, Brigadier Phindile Ncube and Brigadier Dineo Mokwele. Prosecutors alleged that the group played various roles in the appointment of Mokwele to a senior position despite questions over her qualifications and the recruitment process.
During their first appearance in June 2025, most of the accused were granted bail of R10 000 each, while Lushaba faced separate complications because of another pending matter.
Since then, the matter has been postponed several times for disclosures, consultations and legal applications. In August 2025, the court postponed the case to allow for further particulars and consultations between the defence and the prosecution.
Khumalo and some of his co-accused also launched applications seeking relaxed bail conditions so they could return to work while awaiting trial. One of the conditions barred them from entering Crime Intelligence offices or interacting with State witnesses.
In late 2025, the Pretoria High Court ruled in favour of Khumalo and two co-accused, setting aside restrictions that prevented them from returning to work. The ruling effectively cleared the way for Khumalo to resume his duties as head of Crime Intelligence while the criminal proceedings continued.
Khumalo has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and previously claimed he had been cleared by an internal SAPS investigation.
The case has attracted significant national attention because it involves some of the country’s most senior police intelligence officials at a time when SAPS Crime Intelligence has faced increasing scrutiny over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and internal factional battles.
Friday’s postponement means the accused will now wait several more months for the NDPP to decide whether the representations submitted by the defence will affect the prosecution’s decision to proceed with the trial in the High Court.
Until then, Khumalo and his co-accused remain out on bail.
