Appearing before parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in the criminal justice system, Hlungwani levelled a series of explosive allegations against the former minister and the current South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership. “I do not question the president’s authority to appoint a person; it is simply my belief that the man did not have the moral authority to lead this very important democratic institution,” Hlungwani told the committee. Hlungwani, who was removed from his position in 2024, claims he was targeted after making protected disclosures regarding the 2017 ANC elective conference at Nasrec.
He alleged he was pressured to illegally withdraw money from the secret service account (the “slush fund”) to finance the ANC event. After refusing to authorise the payment, he was arrested and tried for fraud charges, but was later acquitted. Hlungwani testified that he and other senior managers were victimised through “frivolous allegations” and hounded out of the service.
Cele was actively involved in the appointment of senior managers, most of whom were his personal choices. This followed his efforts to remove [former national police commissioner] Khehla Sitole He accused Cele of going to great lengths to protectLt-Gen Peter Jacobs, the former head of crime intelligence, while “turning a blind eye to corruption until it suited his aims”. According to Hlungwani, Cele presided over a powerful faction within SAPS that included Jacobs, as well as: “Cele was actively involved in the appointment of senior managers, most of whom were his personal choices.
Read Full Article on TimesLIVE
[paywall]
This followed his efforts to remove [former national police commissioner]Khehla Sitole,” Hlungwani alleged. He further claimed that after Masemola was appointed as national commissioner, strategic positions were filled with Cele’s allies. In one instance, Hlungwani alleged that when Cele realised he would not be returning to his post, a major-general position in communications was specifically created for his chief of staff.
Hlungwani claimed that after the new minister,Senzo Mchunu,raised questions, the individual was moved to a newly created position within SAPS by Masemola. The whistle-blower further alleged that Cele sabotaged the appointment of a new divisional commissioner for crime intelligence until Sitole was removed, specifically to ensure his “ally”, Khumalo, took the post. He further alleged that Cele hounded out former Independent Police Investigative Directorate bossRobert McBridebecause McBride was investigating members of Cele’s inner circle.
[/paywall]
