Crime Intelligence
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has raised concern after Chief Magistrate Vusimuzi Mahlangu recused himself from the fraud and corruption case involving Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo. IDAC says the recusal was unwarranted. The case now moves to a High Court review on 6 November 2025.
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has reacted with shock to the request made by Chief Magistrate Vusimuzi Mahlangu, who has recused himself in the fraud and corruption matter against Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo.
This application was filed for a review with the Pretoria High Court to the Magistrate presiding over a matter on Tuesday.
In his recusal application, Mahlangu cites allegations of corruption against the judiciary at the Madlanga Commission, with the matter postponed to 06 November 2025 for the outcome of the review application.
Reacting to the application, IDAC spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said IDAC is of the view that the magistrate should not have recused himself from the matter, as allegations made at the commission have no bearing on the matter before the court.
“The IDAC is of the view that the magistrate should not have recused himself from the matter, as allegations made at the commission have no bearing on the matter before the court,” stated Mamothame.
This comes as Khumalo, together with Major General Josias Lekalakala and Major General Nosipho Madondo, applied to have their bail conditions relaxed, after they were arrested with four others on charges of fraud and corruption, relating to the appointment of an unqualified civilian within the Crime Intelligence Division in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Khumalo, Precious Madondo, the head of Crime Intelligence's analysis centre, and Josias Lekalakala, Gauteng Crime Intelligence head, appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday morning.
According to media reports, this has led to the hearing being moved to commence after the outcome of the review application by the IDAC.
Khumalo and company are further accused of flouting the vetting process, which is critical in the appointment of senior officials within the SAPS, particularly the crime intelligence division, which deals with sensitive and confidential information. This case forms part of IDAC’s broader mandate of investigating fraud and corruption within government entities to prevent state capture through these critical entities.
IOL has reported that the court appearance on Wednesday took a dramatic turn after advocate Malesela Teffo unexpectedly requested to join the case as amicus curiae (a friend of the court).
“Good morning, Your Worship. My name is Advocate Malesela Teffo. What brought me here is that I want to bring an application for amicus curiae to be a friend of the court in this matter. The reason is that I am informed that the accused are here to apply for the relaxation of their bail conditions. “Firstly, I am also the accused in another case where your brother (another magistrate) is appearing.
Teffo, further accused Khumalo and his allies of having had a hand in putting him in jail saying: “The basis for me to bring this application is the fact that the applicants are very dangerous people. I was in jail. They are part of sending me to jail. “When I was in jail, they were monitoring my communications in jail. Mr Khumalo, the divisional commissioner, appointed Brigadier Moyana …”
IOL further reports that at that stage, counsel for Khumalo and others, advocate Zandile Mshololo, interjected, telling the court that Advocate Teffo was flouting court processes.
