Parole granted bail to former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli

The department confirmed Mdluli’s release on Tuesday. 

Mdluli was handed a five-year sentence in 2020 following his conviction on charges of kidnapping, assault, and intimidation in a case involving his former lover Tshidi Buthelezi, her husband Oupa Ramogibe, and a friend Alice Manana. 

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says Mdluli was considered for parole after serving a third of his sentence due to the fact that the crime was committed in 1998.

Nxumalo says the minimum detention period for Mdluli was on 28 May 2022, but he could not be considered for parole placement at the time due to a pending court case.

He was granted a bail of R10 000 in June, paving the way for his parole consideration process to proceed.

"This decision was taken by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board, having assessed Mdluli’s profile and other material submitted for the purposes of parole consideration. 

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“He will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he is expected to comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires," says Nxumalo. 

Mdluli is facing charges of fraud, corruption and theft related to the police’s secret slush fund.  

Mdluli and his co-accused, former supply chain manager Heine Barnard and former Chief Financial Officer of State Security Agency, Solomon Lazarus, face charges of corruption, fraud, and theft.

The trio is accused of abusing the police secret slush fund during their time at the helm of the police crime intelligence services between 2008 and 2012.