Mulangi Mphego granted bail after ammunition arrest

Former South African police major-general Mulangi Mphego has been granted R5,000 bail following his arrest by the South African Police Service’s National Cold Case Unit. Mphego is accused of possessing more than 100 rounds of police-issued ammunition, including rounds for R5 rifles and 9mm firearms, as well as documents linked to the investigation into the murder of Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi.

He appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was charged with contravening the Firearms Control Act. Bail conditions include a prohibition on contacting state witnesses and a requirement to attend all court proceedings. The case is scheduled to return to court on 3 November.

Mphego, 56, previously served in police intelligence and resigned as acting head of the SAPS Crime Intelligence unit in 2009. His arrest has drawn attention to his controversial history, including past allegations of defeating the ends of justice and his alleged involvement in leaking the “Spy Tapes” during investigations involving former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi and Jacob Zuma.