An Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) State Advocate has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that a witness linked to an investigation into the alleged irregular procurement of a Crime Intelligence forklift was flown from Pretoria to the Eastern Cape through arrangements reportedly made by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
IDAC State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy told the commission in Pretoria that senior IDAC investigator Dylan Perumal informed her of the travel arrangements in January last year.
Ramsamy said the witness was expected to be consulted as part of Project Diversion, an investigation involving seven Crime Intelligence officials.
During questioning, Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga sought clarity on her understanding of who had arranged and paid for the witness’s travel.
Ramsamy told the commission that her understanding was that Mchunu had made the arrangements for the witness to travel to the Eastern Cape to meet with Perumal.
Madlanga then specifically questioned what Ramsamy understood by the witness being “flown” to the Eastern Cape.
Ramsamy said she had assumed that the minister’s office had covered the cost of the airfare.
She explained that she later met the witness and believed he would not have had the financial means to pay for the trip himself.
The testimony forms part of the commission’s broader investigation into allegations of corruption, interference and misconduct within South Africa’s criminal justice and policing structures.
The commission is continuing to hear evidence relating to the conduct of senior officials and individuals linked to investigations involving Crime Intelligence.