Dirty laundry of the collapse of Crime Intelligence under General Khumalo’s leadership exposed
While everyone is looking forward to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) during his 7th administration of the Government of National Unity (GNU) the collapse of Crime Intelligence under General Khumalo’s leadership is becoming a thorn in the security cluster within the country.
This was confirmed by whistle blowers within the division who said it is evident that the Crime Intelligence Division is on the verge of collapse, resembling a sinking ship under the leadership of General Khumalo and his KZN-dominated management team. The sources also expressed their disgust and discontentment saying that the division's decline is exacerbated by key figures such as HR Head Brigadier Nqulunga, SSA Head Major General Lushaba, and General Madondo, among others. They further told The Azanian that General Khumalo’s leadership approach appears to be aimed at centralizing control over every component of Crime Intelligence, a task that is both impractical and destructive.
They called for President Ramaphosa’s intervention with immediate effect. According to them from the outset, Khumalo seemed intent on eliminating individuals who posed an obstacle to his plans, including General Khan, General Nemutanzhela, General Moodley, General Theo from Cape Town, and Brigadier Hlungwani. His strategy involved appointing individuals he could manipulate, effectively turning them into puppets to execute his agenda.
Reportedly one of his most controversial appointments was Brigadier Berdine van Vuuren as the SSA SCM Head. Upon her introduction, she openly stated that she had been given a mandate from General Khumalo. One of her first actions was to strip members of their official vehicles, severely hindering operational capabilities. Under her leadership, the SSA Supply Chain has become entirely dysfunctional. Van Vuuren is notorious for abusing her power, intimidating members, and threatening to confiscate their vehicles. Some members have already lost their official cars, making it impossible for them to carry out their duties. When they inevitably fail due to a lack of resources, they are further victimized.
Van Vuuren operates as though she is the CFO, often overriding Major General Lushaba. In many instances, she issues directives while Lushaba remains passive, seemingly following her lead. It is incomprehensible that an SCM Head has to personally approve even the most basic office supplies, such as pens and toilet paper. Members were left without toilet paper for months, forced to bring their own from home, while Van Vuuren purchased an 18-pack of luxury tissues from Woolworths exclusively for her use.
Operational members are forced to work from their cars, lacking proper office space. In some cases, they resort to using internet cafés for printing and administrative tasks, exposing them to significant security risks. The lack of understanding of operational security within Crime Intelligence’s leadership is alarming. Van Vuuren runs the department as if it were her personal business, making all procurement decisions unilaterally.
“The mismanagement of funds is another pressing concern. A forklift, purchased for nearly a million rand, was never delivered, yet no one has been held accountable. Despite these irregularities, SSA managed to receive a clean audit in the previous financial year, raising serious questions about the integrity of the auditing process. It is clear that there is collusion between SSA management and auditors to conceal financial mismanagement,” said sources.
“Additionally, vehicles procured for operational members were never received at headquarters; instead, they were diverted to KZN, reinforcing the perception that the province is prioritized above all others. Crime Intelligence is increasingly being run as a Zulu-dominated entity, with promotions and resources disproportionately allocated to KZN, while experienced members from other regions are sidelined.”
To add insult to the injury, members have lodged grievances regarding promotions, but these concerns are consistently ignored. Recently, promotional posts were advertised, yet only individuals aligned with Brigadier Van Vuuren, Major General Lushaba, and Brigadier Nqulunga were selected. The SSA is now filled with promoted individuals who contribute little to the organization, sitting idly like furniture. Meanwhile, long-serving, qualified members continue to be overlooked.
In addition, the told The Azanian that two white women were promoted to SSA Loss Management, bypassing Lieutenant Colonel J.Z. Mangoale, who had been acting in the role for over five years. The post was instead awarded to a close associate of Brigadier Van Vuuren. Similarly, unqualified individuals have been fast-tracked into high-ranking positions. Ms. Noks Smith, who previously managed the kitchen, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in Creditors in 2022, and by 2024, Major General Lushaba further promoted her to Colonel in the Free State as an accountant—despite lacking the necessary qualifications. Another individual, Ms Sue Pillay, was also promoted to Lieutenant Colonel without meeting the required qualifications. Ms Pillay, who was brought into the organization in 2010 by former CFO General Lazarus along with her husband, reportedly performed poorly in the interview process but was still selected, thanks to her close ties with Lushaba.
The primary reason behind these corrupt promotions is Lushaba’s desire to control the SSA by surrounding himself with loyalists. As a result, morale within the division has plummeted. The Crime Intelligence building is now filled with demoralized members who have been reduced to “dead logs.” Meanwhile, the building itself is deteriorating, with no efforts being made to renovate it. Instead, funds are misused on questionable building purchases.
The corruption surrounding these real estate acquisitions is alarming. Finance department members are allegedly forced to process payments for invoices without proper documentation, and those who raise concerns are threatened. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) must launch an urgent investigation into these serious irregularities within Crime Intelligence.
There was also an appointment of a 28-year-old Brigadier from BMW with no experience at all, while there are many experienced members in the organisation who deserved to be promoted to a Brigadier level
Meanwhile, concerns regarding corruption, unfair promotions, and member well-being in SSA.
The sources said it has become evident that SSA operates within a deeply corrupt culture, particularly concerning promotions and adherence to proper procedures. When posts are advertised, they come with specific requirements; however, these requirements are inconsistently applied, often depending on personal connections rather than merit.
One such example is Mr Mabusela, a former driver for Divisional Commissioner Jacobs. Following General Jacobs’ suspension, Mabusela was transferred to SSA as a Warrant Officer in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) section, despite having no prior experience in SCM. In less than two years, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, while more experienced and qualified members were overlooked. This promotion appears to have been influenced by his close ties to Major General Lushaba, for whom he frequently runs errands.
Additionally, Mabusela is now linked to the ownership of buildings allegedly purchased under Lushaba’s directives. Instead of fulfilling their professional responsibilities, these individuals frequently change official vehicles as though they own a private fleet, leading to unnecessary and wasteful expenditure.
Another concerning case is that of Ms Pontsho Masingi, who was also promoted within SSA despite lacking relevant qualifications. She is reportedly one of the directors of a company involved in purchasing a hotel, further highlighting the misuse of funds.
These corrupt practices have had severe psychological and emotional consequences for many members. For example, a Captain within the Supply Chain Management division, led by Brigadier Van Vuuren, suffered a mental breakdown due to ongoing unfair treatment and victimization. Despite his distress, management failed to intervene or provide support, with Brigadier Van Vuuren reportedly dismissing his struggles by claiming he brought them upon himself. Tragically, this member was pushed to the brink of taking his own life, yet no corrective actions were taken.
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