Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and Major General Nozipho Madondo have lodged formal complaints over the handling of an aborted arrest operation by the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.

The complaints have been sent to the Ministers of Justice and Police, as well as the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

The dispute follows an incident in which the two senior police officials were allegedly instructed to report to Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria prepared for detention, but no arrests were carried out.

IDAC has confirmed that warrants were issued for Khumalo and Madondo, but said the execution of the warrants was suspended.

Khumalo and Madondo have also written to IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson, demanding clarity on why warning statements were allegedly not taken before the planned arrests.

Their legal team has asked Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to investigate whether IDAC acted within its constitutional and legal mandate.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has publicly criticised the handling of the matter, describing the process as “messy” and raising concerns about coordination between law enforcement structures.

The matter has added to growing tensions between IDAC and senior Crime Intelligence officials at a sensitive time for the country’s security cluster.

Khumalo is understood to be involved in security preparations ahead of planned demonstrations against illegal immigration scheduled for 30 June.

The latest development comes while Khumalo faces separate fraud and corruption charges linked to the alleged irregular appointment of an unqualified person to a senior Crime Intelligence position.

Khumalo and six co-accused are expected back in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in September after the matter was postponed for legal representations to the NDPP.

The aborted arrest operation has now raised fresh questions about due process, coordination and accountability in high-profile investigations involving senior police officials.