Police slam 'media circus' as IPID raids commissioner's home over R80,000 sound system

19 January 2017 - 21:30 By TMG Digital
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Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigators carried out a raid on acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane’s home on Thursday afternoon in search of an R80‚000 sound system‚ despite Phahlane having provided them with proof of payment for the system‚ police said in a statement.

According to reports there were allegations that the sound system had been installed in Phahlane’s home by a service provider who apparently received a contract with the police forensic science laboratory.

  • IPID members eventually gain access to Phahlane’s housing complexIndependent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigators driving in a convoy of five vehicles appeared to have trouble gaining access to the upmarket Sable Hills Waterfront Estate home of acting national police commissioner‚ Lt-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ north east of Pretoria on Thursday afternoon. 

However‚ in a statement on Thursday evening‚ police spokeswoman Brigadier Sally De Beer said that at a meeting earlier on Thursday Phahlane had “provided the IPID investigators with the proof of payment for the sound system to the total value of R80‚075‚ the money having been transferred from his personal current account to Nedbank account number 1288095317 Sounds Great‚ Woodlands on 16 April 2012”.

The proof was provided at the conclusion of a meeting at his office held in connection with allegations under investigation by IPID relating to alleged corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

“The defeating the ends of justice case relates to allegations publicly made following an investigation and the interviewing of witnesses‚ led by Paul O’Sullivan accompanied by IPID investigators. The corruption allegations are in relation to the purchase of a sound system‚ allegedly by co-directors of a private company. Paul O’Sullivan is apparently the complainant in the alleged corruption case‚” De Beer said.

She said it was extremely regrettable that while five IPID investigators were still busy with discussions in Phahlane’s office‚ news broke in the media that IPID was in the process of raiding his home.

“Despite the Acting National Commissioner providing personal proof of payment for the sound system‚ a media circus was conducted at his place of residence including the spreading of propaganda through the electronic media‚ causing further trauma to family members. It is against this background that the entire investigation is considered an assault on the character and integrity of the Acting National Commissioner aimed at irreparably damaging his reputation and taking his focus away from the execution of his duties.

“The Acting National Commissioner has briefed his lawyers to take this matter forward‚” De Beer said.

“It is unfortunate that this investigation is being conducted through the media‚ characterised by the distortion of facts‚ disinformation and malice‚ including an insult on the integrity of the Acting National Commissioner and his family. The parading of the media at the Acting National Commissioner’s house‚ while he was being interviewed and served with the search warrant‚ and the level of disrespect and lack of courtesy by all involved has been noted by him with disgust and disappointment‚” she added.

De Beer said that the Phahlane had undertaken at the meeting to respond in writing to questions raised by the IPID investigators in respect of the allegations made.

“To this effect‚ IPID committed to providing the questions in writing.”

She added that the acting police commissioner would continue to respect and fully cooperate with any authority competent to conduct investigations in accordance with the country’s laws.

However‚ she added: “The Acting National Commissioner will not satisfy his detractors by succumbing to any undue pressure mounted against him. The South African Police Service will remain focused on the execution of its policing mandate. South Africans are assured that the SAPS will contribute towards the creation of a safe and secure environment for all.”

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