Zuma Ally Thulani Dlomo Arrested Over R12m State Funds Scandal
PRETORIA – Thulani Dlomo, a prominent figure and long-time ally of former president Jacob Zuma, has been arrested alongside another former senior member of the State Security Agency (SSA) on allegations of mismanaging state funds. The alleged misappropriation amounts to approximately R12 million.
Dlomo, who previously served as a spy boss and ambassador to Japan, and former project manager Patrick Mshothola, made a brief appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Monday.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed the arrests and court appearance. He stated that Mshothola, who oversaw various projects within the Chief Directorate Special Operations (CDSO) of the then SSA, and Dlomo, who held the position of Deputy Director: Counterintelligence within the SSA, face serious charges.
“Mshothola, who acted as project manager on various projects within the Chief Directorate Special Operations (CDSO) of the then SSA, together with his co-accused, Thulani Dlomo, who held the position of Deputy Director: Counterintelligence within the SSA, are being charged on allegations of theft, fraud, forgery and uttering,” Mamothame explained.
The charges against Dlomo and Mshothola include theft, fraud, forgery, and uttering, indicating a complex web of alleged financial irregularities during their time at the SSA. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of state entities and the efforts to hold individuals accountable for alleged corruption.
Both Dlomo and Mshothola were granted bail of R20,000 each, subject to stringent conditions. These conditions include the surrender of their passports to prevent international travel, a requirement to report to their nearest police stations every Friday to ensure compliance with the court's directives, and a strict prohibition on contacting any state witnesses to prevent potential interference with the investigation. Furthermore, they are barred from disposing of any immovable property they own, likely to ensure assets are available should the state seek to recover misappropriated funds.
The case has been postponed to January 26, 2026. This postponement allows the state adequate time to provide full disclosure of evidence to the defence. It also provides the court with an opportunity to set a potential date for the matter to be heard in the High Court, given the seriousness and complexity of the charges.
Dlomo's name previously surfaced in connection with the riots and looting that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in 2021, following the imprisonment of former President Zuma. At the time, Dlomo presented himself to the Durban Central police station, accompanied by his lawyer, after rumours circulated linking him to the unrest.
Dlomo stated that he had feared for his life and that of his family after allegations that he may have been one of the masterminds behind the chaotic scenes that played out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and left over 300 people dead. However, he was never formally charged in connection with the riots, as no formal complaint was ever lodged against him. His voluntary appearance at the police station underscores the intense scrutiny and public speculation surrounding his activities.
The arrest of Dlomo adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battles involving figures associated with former President Zuma. Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, is currently facing trial in the Durban High Court on charges of terrorism and inciting violence. These charges stem from a series of social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) that are alleged to be inflammatory. The cases involving Zuma-Sambudla and now Dlomo, highlight the continued legal ramifications of the events surrounding the 2021 unrest and the broader scrutiny of individuals linked to the former president.
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