Ipid raids police chief's 'R8m house'
Cape
Times | 19 January 2017
SAkhile
ndlazi
DRAMATIC scenes unfolded yesterday as security guards tried to
prevent Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) investigators from
entering the home of acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General
Khomotso Phahlane in the exclusive Sable Hills Waterfront Estate in Tshwane.
Ipid is investigating allegations of corruption related to the
time when Phahlane was the head of forensics. He is accused of taking kickbacks
to secure tenders.
Members
of Ipid raid acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso
Phahlane's home in Pretoria North. Picture: Oupa Mokoena
It is understood that the investigators searched his house for a
state-of-the-art sound system worth R80 000.
They had allegedly gathered records showing the transfer of money
from a chemical manufacturing company to a home entertainment system supplier,
which then installed the surround-sound system in Phahlane’s house.
After much deliberation with the security guards, the five Ipid
vehicles eventually gained entry to the estate. It wasn’t established if
Phahlane was at home. The investigators spent 30 minutes in the estate.
Phahlane is also facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice
for allegedly contacting witnesses who formed part of an investigation into how
he built a mansion said to be worth R8 million. It was revealed last year
that Ipid had launched an investigation into how Phahlane built the house with
a policeman’s salary.
However, during a media briefing, Phahlane denied that his house
was built with corruption money. Phahlane told journalists he would sue for
damages he suffered as a result of these allegations.
“I happen to hear that I own a house which is worth R8m. I so wish
I had that amount of money. I have a house that is around R3m. There is a bond
registered in that regard,” Phahlane said, adding he would co-operate with
Ipid. “Investigations must follow their course.”
Ipid reportedly obtained the warrant together with a warning
statement against the commissioner from the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. Ipid
spokesperson Moses Dlamini said he could not comment on a continuing
investigation.
