Crime Intelligence CFO Lushaba, a central figure in ongoing probes into unit, appears in court

JOHANNESBURG - Crime Intelligence chief financial officer, Philani Lushaba, remains a focal point of several ongoing investigations into the embattled unit.

Lushaba appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday on two separate matters.

One relates to fraud and corruption over the appointment of 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele into a highly specialised division within Crime Intelligence, despite her not having the necessary skills or qualifications.

The other case relates to defeating the ends of justice, corruption and perjury dating back to 2022, when Lushaba lied that his state laptop, phone and firearm were stolen in a burglary, later emerging that a sex worker stole the items following a party at his home.

Lushaba appeared alongside Eugene Pitout, Glen Hudson and Jonny Mogashwa - all members within Crime Intelligence.

They handed themselves over to officials from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in June after it emerged they had tried to cover up an incident in which Lushaba’s state laptop, phone and firearm were stolen by a sex worker at his home in 2022.

The items were traced back to the sex worker and recovered, with Lushaba opening a case of house burglary, essentially lying under oath, resulting in IDAC’s probe into the matter.

They face ten counts of corruption, defeating the ends of justice and perjury.

The matter was postponed to October for a trial date.

Meanwhile, Lushaba is also an accused in a separate matter, which was also heard on Wednesday, and relates to the unlawful appointment of 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele to an executive position within Crime Intelligence in April last year, despite her having no policing capabilities, knowledge or skills.