Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has learned that SAPS Crime Intelligence’s Chief Financial Officer, Major-General Philani Lushaba, has gone missing – just as the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate sought to question him, reportedly over a multi-million Rand property scandal.
Lushaba reportedly failed to report for duty this morning and is unreachable by phone. His disappearance follows closely on the conclusion of an investigation by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) into unlawful property acquisitions by Crime Intelligence, an investigation initiated after the DA raised alarm over suspicious transactions.
The IGI has now completed this investigation, which centres on the purchase of a luxury boutique hotel in Pretoria North for R22.7 million, and a commercial property in Berea, Durban for R22.8 million – both funded by Crime Intelligence, allegedly without the required approvals.
These purchases were reportedly authorised by Lushaba and Crime Intelligence head, Major-General Dumisani Khumalo, without consulting the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. The scale of spending, the lack of transparency, and the irregular process raise serious questions about possible corruption and abuse of public funds.
The DA has submitted urgent parliamentary questions to the Minister of Police to determine the contents of the IGI’s report and to establish whether further misconduct has been uncovered.
We will also write to the Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to demand that the SAPS leadership, including Crime Intelligence’s top officials, be summoned to account before Parliament.
The SAPS Crime Intelligence division has a long, troubling record of corruption, dating back to the era of disgraced former head Richard Mdluli. For too long, this vital unit has been plagued by looting, political interference, and lawlessness.
The IGI’s report must now serve as a turning point. Without urgent action to remove corrupt elements from senior management, there can be no hope of restoring credibility to SAPS’ intelligence function – or protecting South Africans from organised crime and criminal capture.
Law enforcement agencies must treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. The DA will continue to pursue accountability and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
Regards
Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
DA Spokesperson on State Security