By Neelam Rahim

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed Tuesday that former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has been placed on parole.

In September 2020, Mdluli was sentenced to 5 years in prison for kidnapping, assault and assault with intent to try and do grievous bodily harm.

The case dates back to the late nineties, when Mdluli and Mthembeni Mthunzi, a former policeman, abducted Oupa Ramogibe and Mdluli’s former lover, Tshidi Buthelezi. They then dragged the pair to a police office and beat them up. This after they’d become entangled in an affair.

Ramogibe died in 1999.

Buthelezi has also died.

Because Mdluli committed the crime in 1998, he fell under the “Phaahla judgment” regime – crimes committed before 1 October 2004 – meaning that his eligibility for parole has been determined on a previous parole regime.

As such, Mdluli was considered for parole after serving a 3rd of his sentence.

It is not yet clear if Mthunzi will be released on parole.

A spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, said that Mdluli came up for parole in May but couldn’t be considered until he was granted bail in his corruption case, within which he’s accused of the “gross abuse” of the key services account. He was since awarded bail of R10 000 therein case, though, and was on parole on Tuesday.

“Mr Mdluli will complete the rest of the sentence within the system of community corrections, whereby he’s expected to comply with a selected set of conditions and can be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires,” Nxumalo said.