Charges against crime intelligence boss Mdluli dropped

Fraud charges against suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, who was due to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, have been provisionally withdrawn, with no reasons given.

In September, Mdluli was arrested with Colonel Hein Barnard, the supply-chain manager for the division’s secret services account.

The charges against them were linked to a discount allegedly solicited last year to pay a shortfall on Mdluli’s private car.

Mdluli has dismissed the claims as part of a politically inspired witch-hunt.

He was arrested earlier this year for murder and defeating the ends of justice for his alleged involvement in the 1999 killing of Oupa Ramogibe, who allegedly received threats after he married Mdluli’s former lover.

Mdluli has claimed that people were “trying to get rid of him” because former president Thabo Mbeki’s camp was trying to take over police intelligence ahead of the ANC’s conference in Mangaung next year.

His lawyer, Ike Motloung, has described the allegations of fraud and corruption against Mdluli as “a joke” and part of ongoing attempts to frame him.