But some of his recruits could soon face sanctions, demotions or even dismissal, if it is found that their employment was irregular and that they are not qualified for the positions they occupy.

The Times has established that an investigation by the office of Inspector-General Faith Radebe is under way into Mdluli's allegedly irregular appointments. The investigation includes a skills audit of more than a dozen police officers employed by him.

Two weeks ago, four police officers employed by Mdluli at one Crime Intelligence office - his sister-in-law, one of his co-accused's sisters, and the girlfriends of two of his friends - were interviewed by the inspector-general's office on the East Rand.

The four, whose names are known to The Times, were given mid-level positions, some "straight from the street", two Crime Intelligence officers told The Times.

One of Mdluli's appointees was a school drop-out who was given the job of working with the Crime Intelligence slush fund.

"She did not even have a matric and she dealt with sensitive information and money," said one Crime Intelligence officer.

Mdluli also promoted a police clerk straight to the rank of warrant officer - while another person was taken "from the street" and placed as a data typist.

"This woman had absolutely no experience . she could not even switch on a computer," the officer said.

Some of Mdluli's appointments include his wife (a colonel), his former wife (also a colonel), his daughter (a lieutenant-colonel), his son (a captain) and three in-laws.

Many of Mdluli's appointees occupied high ranks and had salaries they did not qualify for, another Crime Intelligence officer alleged.

But this, said the officers, will all be exposed by the skills audit.

Said national police spokesman Brigadier Lindela Mashigo: "There is presently an investigation by the inspector-general of intelligence on the broader crime intelligence issues".

Earlier this year, City Press reported that, since 2010, it had cost Crime Intelligence more than R5-million to employ Mdluli's relatives and supply them with luxury cars.