Former senior crime intelligence official Tiyani Hlungwani has launched a blistering attack on former police minister Bheki Cele, branding his appointment as one of the gravest mistakes made since the dawn of democracy.
Hlungwani, who previously headed finance for administrative services within crime intelligence, delivered explosive testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. His evidence painted a picture of deep-seated factionalism, alleged abuse of power and the systematic removal of officials seen as obstacles.
– Advertisement –
‘No Moral Authority’: Hlungwani Questions Bheki Cele’s Fitness to Lead SAPS
While stressing that the president has the constitutional right to appoint ministers, Hlungwani said Cele lacked the ethical standing to lead the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“I do not question the president’s authority to appoint a person; it is simply my belief that the man did not have the moral authority to lead this very important democratic institution,” Hlungwani told the committee.
Hlungwani, who was removed from his post in 2024, claims his troubles began after he made protected disclosures related to the ANC’s 2017 elective conference at Nasrec. He alleged he was pressured to unlawfully release funds from the crime intelligence secret service account — commonly referred to as a slush fund — to bankroll the conference.
After refusing to authorise the payment, he was arrested and prosecuted on fraud charges, but was ultimately acquitted.
Alleged SAPS Power Bloc and Strategic Appointments
According to Hlungwani, Cele oversaw and strengthened a powerful internal grouping within SAPS that controlled key appointments and decision-making.
“Cele was actively involved in the appointment of senior managers, most of whom were his personal choices. This followed his efforts to remove [former national police commissioner] Khehla Sitole,” Hlungwani alleged.
– Advertisement –
He claimed the faction included national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, crime intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, and former crime intelligence boss Lt-Gen Peter Jacobs.
Hlungwani further alleged that once Masemola took over as national commissioner, critical posts were filled with individuals aligned to Cele. He told the committee that when Cele realised he would not be returning as minister, a major-general role in SAPS communications was created specifically for his chief of staff.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mbalula Draws A Line: ANC Members Warned Over ‘Motsepe 2027’ Campaign
He added that after the current police minister, Senzo Mchunu, questioned the appointment, the individual was shifted into another newly created SAPS position under Masemola’s leadership.
Secret Service Funds, Whistle-Blowers and Internal Wars
Hlungwani also accused Cele of delaying the appointment of a divisional commissioner for crime intelligence until Sitole was removed, allegedly to secure the role for Khumalo, whom he described as Cele’s ally.
He further claimed that former Independent Police Investigative Directorate head Robert McBride was pushed out because he was investigating individuals within Cele’s inner circle.
“After I was removed as section head of financial and administration services, there was a grand looting of the [secret service] account by Peter Jacobs and others affiliated with Cele,” Hlungwani said.
He also alleged that Khumalo acted on instructions from Cele and Masemola to remove senior SAPS members viewed as adversaries.
During cross-examination, ANC MP Mdumiseni Ntuli questioned whether Hlungwani believed a coordinated group within SAPS was actively working against rivals.
Hlungwani agreed, stating that the real battle centred on control of crime intelligence and its secret service account.
“Crime intelligence is the most important of these three agencies and the fact that it’s not effective … that is why organised crime is able to flourish.”
– Advertisement –
