SAPU welcomes court ruling allowing top Crime Intelligence generals to return to work

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has welcomed the High Court of Gauteng Division in Pretoria’s judgement on 4 December 2025, which allows Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, who is the Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Major General Nosipho Precious Madondo who is the Component Head of Intelligence Analysis and Coordination, and Major General Josias Maperemisa Lekalakala who is the Gauteng Provincial Head of Crime Intelligence to return to their workplaces.

The court ruling comes after a magistrate imposed bail conditions barring the applicants from entering Crime Intelligence offices. SAPU described these conditions as “misplaced” and said they encroached on labour law matters between employer and employee.

“The bail conditions encroached on labour law related issues which involve the Employer and Employee and it was misplaced in the bail conditions imposed by the Magistrate,” SAPU said in a statement.

“We became worried by the fact that a ruling of such nature could be made in error. The judgement now allows Khumalo and his colleagues to go back to their workplaces so they can bring stability in the Crime Intelligence environment in terms of leadership and the fulfilment of crime prevention and fighting efforts.”

SAPU’s national spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakgale, said: “This judgement is a victory not just for the officers involved, but for the integrity of our policing structures. Their return to work is critical for leadership stability and the effective fight against crime in our country.”

SAPU also called on the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, to urgently appoint a permanent head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks. The union said the absence of a permanent head has created instability within the directorate, which plays a critical role in fighting serious crimes.

“The lack of a permanent head of the Hawks is a recipe for disaster as it creates unnecessary instability. It is very unfortunate that, while the retirement date of the then Head of the Hawks was well known, nothing was done to appoint a suitable replacement in advance,” SAPU stated.

The union urged Professor Cachalia to ensure a transparent appointment process for the permanent head of the Hawks, ideally in a manner visible to the public. SAPU stressed that the Hawks are a key law enforcement agency, vital in South Africa’s fight against rampant crime.

In addition, SAPU highlighted delays in appointing Provincial Commissioners in the North West and Eastern Cape. The union said acting appointments in these provinces hinder effective leadership and strategic planning, noting that acting officials are often limited in implementing long-term strategies due to the temporary nature of their roles.

“We are calling on the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, to expedite the appointment of the two Provincial Commissioners to bring stability in leadership in those provinces,” SAPU added.

SAPU’s statement shows ongoing concerns over leadership gaps and instability in key law enforcement structures, which it says could undermine South Africa’s ability to combat serious and organized crime. By ensuring permanent appointments at senior levels, SAPU believes the police service will be better positioned to execute its mandate and maintain public confidence.

With the High Court ruling now in place, SAPU hopes that both the return of Crime Intelligence leadership and the appointment of permanent heads in key roles will strengthen the country’s fight against serious crime and restore stability within the SAPS.