Crime Intelligence funds were used to service journalist Ranjeni Munusamy’s BMW convertible in 2008, according to a witness at the ongoing state capture commission of inquiry.
Colonel Dhananjaya Naidoo told the inquiry on Monday that Munusamy was among journalists used by Crime Intelligence “to plant stories in the media.”
Crime Intelligence is a unit in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
‘Code name Jenni’
Naidoo said he met Munusamy “two or three” times upon instruction by Mulangi Mphego, who was head of Crime Intelligence at the time.
He said Munusamy, whose code name was “Jenni,” gave her the car keys and he took the car to New World Motors.
The new tyres were replaced, the car was serviced, the radio was faulty and one of the seats in the car needed attention.
Dhananjaya Naidoo
Naidoo said he to the car back to New World Motors “a week or two” later to fit run-flat tyres on it.
Special leave
Munusamy took special leave from her employer, Tiso Black Star, on 18 September after her alleged links to Crime Intelligence first emerged at the inquiry.
A Hawks official, Col Kobus Roelofse, testified that R143,621.78 was allegedly paid to Wesbank Vehicle Finance to settle a car in Munusamy’s name.
This money allegedly came from Crime Intelligence’s slush fund. Munusamy was reportedly self-employed at the time.
Roelofse said he became aware of the alleged payment while investigating corruption claims against Crime Intelligence officials.
Munusamy has denied the allegations, adding that she intends to defend herself against them.