Former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli says he has been unfairly blamed for corruption in the police and wants a chance to tell his side of the story to Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.
In a letter sent to the committee by his legal representatives, Frans Mashele Incorporated, Mdluli said the perception that he alone was responsible for alleged misconduct within the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Crime Intelligence Division was inaccurate.
“Our client has noted with serious concern the recurring and adverse allegations being made against him in various forums, including the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee currently seized with matters relating to crime in the South African Police Service. This follows General Mkhwanazi’s public media conference on July 6, 2025,” the letter read.
“It appears that (Ret.) General Mdluli’s name continues to feature prominently in testimonies and public commentary, often as a point of reference or comparison for alleged acts of corruption or misconduct within the Crime Intelligence Division.”
The letter ssaid that Mdluli was “deeply aggrieved” that while his name had been repeatedly mentioned in public and official forums, he had not been invited to respond to the allegations.
“Despite his name being repeatedly used as a benchmark for corruption and as an example of institutional rot,” the letter said, “allowing only one version of events to dominate the narrative undermines not only our client’s constitutional rights but also the integrity of the committee’s process. A complete denial by the Ad Hoc Committee deprives citizens of fully balanced information regarding all issues of concern.”
The lawyers added that they trusted the committee would recognise the seriousness of the matter and make the necessary arrangements for Mdluli’s appearance “at the earliest possible opportunity,” including travel and accommodation arrangements.
This comes after Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya testified before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Monday, claiming he had been falsely charged and dismissed after investigating powerful figures within SAPS, but was later cleared and reinstated by the courts.
Sibiya appeared before the committee, which is probing allegations of political interference and factionalism in the police, following explosive claims made in July by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Sibiya said his career had been derailed after he oversaw an investigation into Mdluli during his tenure as head of Crime Intelligence.
“It was at that point in time when I was approached to conduct an investigation on the former Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence, General Richard Mdluli. I put a team together that led to his arrest,” Sibiya told MPs.
“It was then that I made a lot of enemies within the Crime Intelligence sector.”
He said that after the investigation, he faced retaliation, including charges of fraud, corruption, and the illegal rendition of Zimbabwean nationals – allegations he maintains were baseless and politically motivated.
“When you look at the people who were actually involved in the arrest of those Zimbabweans, all of them were from Crime Intelligence. They were even awarded letters of commendation. But I’m the one who was charged,” Sibiya said.
He added that during court proceedings, the magistrate questioned why he was even in the dock.
“The prosecutor said on record that he knew there was no case, but he was instructed to put the matter under control,” Sibiya said.
Meanwhile, News previously reported that the ANC in KZN said the Police Ministry would have to appear before the Madlanga Commission on behalf of the late ambassador Nathi Mthethwa to respond to allegations that he interfered in police operations.
Mthethwa, a former Police and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, was found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Porte Maillot, Paris, two weeks ago after being reported missing for a day.
He is believed to have died in tragic circumstances after falling from the 22nd floor of the hotel.
Mthethwa had been expected to exercise his right of reply after he was mentioned in testimony by Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi told the commission that during his tenure as acting national police commissioner in 2011, Mthethwa, then serving as Police Minister, attempted to block the prosecution of Mdluli, who was accused of abusing state resources and misusing the Crime Intelligence Unit’s secret slush fund.
According to Mkhwanazi, Mthethwa also ordered him to halt disciplinary action against Mdluli, describing the incident as “the worst interference” he had experienced in the work of the police.
Mdluli, along with former SAPS Supply Chain Manager Heine Barnard and Chief Financial Officer Solomon Lazarus, faces charges of corruption, fraud, and theft linked to the police’s secret slush fund during their tenure in Crime Intelligence between 2008 and 2012.
The trio pleaded not guilty when their corruption trial began in the Pretoria High Court in May.
Politics
