Cronyism ‘embedded’ in police, claims former crime intelligence finance head

The former head of finance in the police’s crime intelligence unit, Tiyani Hlungwani, says cronyism is embedded in the police.

Hlungwani told parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption on Thursday about why he was removed from the department and how certain jobs were earmarked for friends.

He told the committee that he was dismissed because he refused to approve the purchase of a R45 million grabber at an inflated price, to benefit the African National Congress (ANC).

Tiyani Hlungwani’s submission before the ad hoc committee focused on his removal from crime intelligence and how he became a target.

He alleged that a portion of the R45 million purchase for the grabber would have gone to the ANC for its Nasrec conference.

Hlungwani also says acts like people being appointed by their close allies are a normal practice in the police.

"What I can say is that cronyism is embedded in the police."

He alleges that former commissioner general Khehla Sithole also appointed those close to him.

"It happened even with General Sithole. When he got there, the first people he appointed as Deputy National commissioners are two Deputy National Commissioners who were his very close allies."

Hlungwani also submitted that the intelligence’s secret fund is also prone to abuse.