South Africa’s criminal intelligence chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo has been arrested and has appeared in court on allegations of fraud and corruption.

Gen Khumalo was picked up on Thursday evening after landing at the main international airport in Johannesburg by members of the anti-corruption unit.

He made his court appearance in the capital, Pretoria, on Friday, alongside six co-accused, all senior police officers.

Details of the charges are not yet clear but local media say Gen Khumalo and the other six had been linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged abuse of intelligence funds and potentially unlawful appointments within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Three other top officials are facing corruption and other charges.

The arrests have raised questions about the integrity of the unit, which is meant to be actively preventing crime and cracking down on criminals.