KZN Police Commissioner Defends Crime Intelligence Head at Inquiry
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has publicly defended Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, who is facing fraud and corruption charges. Mkhwanazi made the remarks during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday, 19 September 2025.
Khumalo, arrested in June along with several officials from the unit, is accused of irregularly appointing Dineo Mokwele to a senior position despite her lack of policing experience. However, Mkhwanazi dismissed the allegations as part of a deliberate campaign to derail Khumalo’s work, claiming the charges were fabricated to halt an investigation into a Gauteng-based criminal syndicate linked to drug cartels.
The commissioner further testified that Khumalo had sought support from KwaZulu-Natal’s political killings task team after the original investigators probing high-profile murders in Gauteng began receiving death threats.
Mkhwanazi went on to implicate two Members of Parliament, Fadiel Adams and Dianne Kohler Barnard, whom he accused of playing a key role in Khumalo’s arrest. He argued that both MPs mishandled sensitive intelligence by releasing it publicly rather than presenting it through formal parliamentary oversight structures.
Both Adams and Kohler Barnard have rejected the allegations, insisting they acted in the public’s best interest. They are expected to respond formally when they appear before the commission.
Mkhwanazi concluded his testimony on Friday. The commission is now set to hear from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who is scheduled to take the stand on Monday.