Key Takeaways:
- Nearly all police members in Gauteng are allegedly working with criminal cartels, according to Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo.
- A counterintelligence operation in Gauteng uncovered the depth of corruption and infiltration of the justice system by criminal syndicates.
- The operation revealed that highly trained SAPS members in Gauteng are moonlighting for syndicates outside their official hours.
- The KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team (PKTT) was brought in to assist with the operation due to the high-level SAPS officials involved in the threats.
- The investigation highlighted the severity of the situation, with cartel members wearing official SAPS combat uniforms and teams from Gauteng working in tandem with cartel members.
Introduction to the Crisis
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing a major crisis, with allegations that nearly all police members in Gauteng are working with criminal cartels. This shocking claim was made by Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, who testified before parliament’s ad hoc committee on Thursday. The committee is investigating the extent of the infiltration of the justice system by criminal syndicates, following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last year. Khumalo’s testimony has shed light on the depth of corruption and the measures taken to uncover the truth.
The Counterintelligence Operation
A counterintelligence operation was conducted in Gauteng, which began after the murder of Arman Swart, an engineer from Vereeniging. The investigation was initially handled by the Gauteng organised crime unit, but Crime Intelligence became involved after a prosecutor raised red flags in a letter to the provincial and national commissioners. The letter highlighted threats faced by the investigating officers and revealed that a critical ballistics report had been intentionally excluded from the case file. Khumalo registered a counterintelligence project, which marked the beginning of significant friction, as his team had to merge with the Gauteng organised crime investigation to form "GCI Ops".
The Extent of Corruption
The investigation revealed that high-level SAPS officials were involved in the threats, and Khumalo took the step of seeking help from the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team (PKTT) rather than using Gauteng-based resources. The analysis and threat assessment revealed that almost the entire SAPS infrastructure in Gauteng was working for the cartel. This led to the deployment of a combat team from the PKTT and a special task force from outside the province to ensure the operation wasn’t compromised. Khumalo noted that cartel members were seen wearing official SAPS combat uniforms, and highly trained combat members of the SAPS in Gauteng were moonlighting for syndicates outside their official hours.
The Role of the PKTT
Khumalo clarified the role of the KZN-based PKTT, noting that their involvement was limited to specific operations and was solely to neutralise the internal threat and provide security. The PKTT’s involvement has been misrepresented, and they have suffered as a result. Khumalo emphasized that the PKTT was not overstepping its mandate to investigate the cartel, but rather was brought in to assist with the operation due to the high-level SAPS officials involved in the threats. The PKTT’s assistance was crucial in ensuring the success of the operation, and their involvement has helped to shed light on the extent of corruption within the SAPS.
The Investigation and Its Findings
The investigation has highlighted the severity of the situation, with cartel members working closely with SAPS members. Khumalo recounted two occasions where teams from Gauteng, supposed to be assisting the investigation, were actually moving in tandem with cartel members. The investigation has also revealed that officials within the police were working to destabilise the investigation. The findings of the investigation are a cause for concern, and it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the corruption and infiltration of the justice system by criminal syndicates.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the allegations made by Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo are shocking and highlight the need for urgent action to address the corruption and infiltration of the justice system by criminal syndicates. The investigation has revealed the extent of the problem, and it is clear that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the issue. The SAPS must take immediate action to root out corruption and ensure that all members are working in the best interests of justice. The government must also provide support and resources to the SAPS to ensure that they are able to effectively combat crime and corruption. Ultimately, the success of the operation and the investigation will depend on the ability of the SAPS to work effectively and honestly, and to root out corruption and infiltration by criminal syndicates.
