Why Ipid is charging acting police commissioner Phahlane
Ra'eesa Pather 23 Nov 2016 10:34
The
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is set to charge acting
police commissioner General Khomotso Phahlane with defeating the ends of
justice. The charges relate to Phahlane allegedly contacting witnesses
the Ipid had interviewed for an investigation they were conducting
into Phahlane’s R8-million home in an exclusive estate north of Pretoria.
News24
broke the story on Wednesday, reporting that the Ipid began the
investigation into Phahlane’s property after suspicions arose that a career
policeman could afford to spend millions building a house. Phahlane will
reportedly issue a warning statement on Wednesday following a summons sent to
him by the Ipid.
The
house was reportedly built in Sable Hills Waterfront Estate, north of Pretoria
in 2011 and 2012. Sources told News24 that Phahlane began contacting witnesses
in the Ipid investigation after he became aware of the investigation into his
house.
The
police watchdog is also investigating allegations that Phahlane stuffed a total
of R700 000 in cash into plastic bags to make payments to a contractor.
Forensic investigator Paul ‘O Sullivan opened a case in January 2016, raising
red flags that the bond Phahlane had registered was lower than the value of the
house.
“Phahlane,
I wanted to ask you, where the money came from to build this mansion in Sable
Hills Waterfront Estate? I’ve got a copy of the title deeds, and bond details.
As I see it, you had spare cash of between R3m and R5m. Did you win the
lottery?” News24 quotes an email O’Sullivan wrote to senior police officials.
Phahlane’s
spokesperson told News24 that the police commissioner’s office welcomes the
Ipid investigation.
“The
Acting National Commissioner welcomes any investigation on any allegations and
matter against him conducted within the confines of the law to enable the
testing of any such allegations. It is unfortunate that such investigations
and/ or allegations if any are conducted through the media with the sole aim of
causing harm and damage to the reputation and integrity of the Acting National
Commissioner,” Selepe said.
