New presiding officer to hear submissions by Dumisani Khumalo, co-accused to have bail conditions relaxed

A new presiding officer in Pretoria’s Regional Court will hear submissions by Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and two of his co-accused on Wednesday morning in a bid to have their bail conditions relaxed.

Khumalo and his co-accused want their bail conditions amended so that they can return to work.

The trio have been implicated in a fraud and corruption scandal related to the appointment of 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele into a specialised position within Crime Intelligence, despite not having any previous policing experience.

On Tuesday, the magistrate presiding over the matter recused himself.

Chief magistrate of the Pretoria Regional Court, Vusimuzi Mahlangu, recused himself on Tuesday in the matter against Khumalo, Precious Madondo and Josias Lekalakala.

They were arrested in June on charges of fraud and corruption by members of the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Mahlangu has been subpoenaed by the Madlanga Commission to testify.

"He cited reasons related to allegations that have been levelled against the judiciary and the Madlanga Commission."

The matter will appear before a new presiding officer.

The State is expected to strongly oppose the bail amendments, claiming many of the witnesses set to testify in the case are Crime Intelligence employees.