The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia requesting the immediate arrest of Crime Intelligence Chief Financial Officer Major General Philani Lushaba, who the party said has violated his bail conditions.

The party expressed disappointment with Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola for meeting with Lushaba, who is currently out on bail for perjury, corruption and defeating the ends of justice in a 2022 case in which he lied about his State possessions being stolen during a burglary.

Lushaba is alleged to have entered the Crime Intelligence premises where he met with Masemola on Tuesday and again on Wednesday morning, the DA said.

“This is an absolute scandal that strikes at the very heart of our criminal justice system. This is not a mere oversight. It brazenly undermines the rule of law. The bail conditions were explicitly clear and strict for a reason: to protect the integrity of the investigation, to shield witnesses from potential intimidation, and to ensure that an individual charged with serious crimes does not have the opportunity to manipulate the system they are accused of corrupting,” said DA Spokesperson on State Security Dianne Kohler Barnard.

She said Lushaba’s actions are a “serious” violation of his bail conditions, and as a result the DA wants his immediate rearrest.

“To do anything less would send a catastrophic message that there is one law for ordinary citizens and another for members of the South African Police Service regardless of the charges they face,” explained Barnard.

She said Masemola’s involvement in this week’s meetings with Lushaba is a potential case of obstruction of justice.

 “If the Commissioner was simply unaware of the bail conditions of a high-profile individual within his own service, it speaks to a staggering level of incompetence and dereliction of duty. If he was aware, it points to something far more sinister,” she added.

She pointed out that Masemola has a Constitutional duty to uphold the law, not to facilitate its breach.

“…by hosting this meeting, he has irreparably compromised his position and demonstrated a breathtaking contempt for the legal process he is sworn to protect,” she stated.