WATCH | ‘War brewing’: Mkhwanazi warns amid arrest claims

Pretoria – Confusion continues to surround the reported arrest of Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo after the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) denied claims that he and another senior crime intelligence official had been arrested.

IDAC Dispels Reports on the Arrest of Crime Intelligence Head pic.twitter.com/XTTOIhc2zP

— NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes) June 18, 2026

The uncertainty unfolded at the Brooklyn Police Station on Thursday, where Khumalo presented himself following reports that warrants had been issued for his arrest.

Earlier media reports indicated that he had been arrested and processed, but IDAC later issued a statement rejecting those claims, leaving the reasons behind the failed execution of the warrants unclear.

Speaking outside the police station, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said a “war is brewing” and claimed he and Khumalo had received intelligence a day earlier suggesting that IDAC had 48 hours to arrest the two officials.

[WATCH] SAPS Lt.Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says intelligence received suggests there are efforts to have him and Dumisani Khumalo “behind bars” within 48 hours. He says this stems from claims that they secured arrest warrants for IDAC officials. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/3IeBmU5S7f

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 18, 2026

Mkhwanazi said he initially doubted the information but decided to travel to Pretoria after Khumalo informed him that the reported operation was unfolding.

Khumalo’s lawyer, James Ndebele, said his client had been instructed to report to the police station for arrest, although the nature of the alleged charges was not disclosed, eNCA reported.

In a sudden and dramatic about-turn, the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has not executed warrants of arrest against two senior SAPS Crime Intelligence officers.

The reasons for the apparent delay remain unclear, raising serious questions about what may have… pic.twitter.com/r1Epb7ypHq

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 18, 2026

However, no arrest was ultimately carried out.

Mkhwanazi maintained that neither he nor Khumalo knew why the arrests were being pursued, stating: “There’s nothing that we are investigating that involves them.” The incident has raised further questions about tensions within South Africa’s law enforcement and intelligence structures.