The Madlanga Commission has questioned whether Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) had sufficient grounds to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption against Brigadier Dineo Mokwele.
Mokwele, who previously worked at BMW before being appointed as a brigadier in Crime Intelligence, is standing trial alongside Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo and other accused over her appointment.
The lead investigator in the case, Brian Padayachee, is testifying before the commission.
During proceedings, Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned whether the allegations against Mokwele met the legal threshold for an investigation under Section 27 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.
“At this stage, I will say that’s a quantum leap in logic. But I’m sure Ms. Sello is still going to come to that. It’s a quantum leap in logic because you know that many people get appointed in SAPS, they cannot even salute, but they are appointed because of their expertise. I’m not necessarily saying Ms. Mokwele had that expertise, but that’s what we’ve been told. And to just say because no experience within SAPS means nothing and it’s on that basis that I say that’s quite some quantum leap in logic.”
The commission has questioned Padayachee about apparent inconsistencies in the affidavit of Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams.
The affidavit forms part of the investigation into Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo and six other accused.
Adams’ statement was commissioned in Cape Town by Chief Investigator Dylan Perumal, but it bears a Pretoria office stamp.
When questioned by Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga about the discrepancy, Padayachee said it was standard practice for investigators to travel with their official office stamps.
Madlanga: Does he carry around his Pretoria stamp when he travels? Because look at the stamp there. It says Pretoria. Pretoria appears twice there on the date stamp.
Padayachee: That’s our office stamp, sir.
Madlanga: I’m saying does he carry it around? Would he carry it to Cape Town?
Padayachee: Sir, normally we carry our stamps with us, sir.
Madlanga: That’s very unusual.
VIDEO | Madlanga Commission of Inquiry proceedings on 14 July 2026:
