‘Corrupt’ Phahlane’s entire career must be scrutinised, says DA

The career of acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane should be scrutinised in light of recent corruption allegations against him.

On Thursday, DA MP Zak Mbhele released a forensic report by CPN Forensic and Accounting Services, in which the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) investigated allegations of corruption in the forensic services, then headed by Phahlane.

“The DA will be submitting this report to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), and will request that the unit extend its investigation to the entirety of Phahlane’s career in the South African Police Service (Saps),” Mbhele said.

In addition, the party would demand that the acting commissioner be summoned to parliament’s police oversight committee to account for the “disturbing” allegations that had surfaced during his tenure.

Police watchdog Ipid is already investigating Phahlane over a house estimated to be worth R8 million, which he had built in Pretoria’s Sable Hills Waterfront Estate in 2011-12.

According to property records, there are two bonds registered on the property with Nedbank.

READ MORE: Ipid deepens its probe against Phahlane over luxury vehicles 

The first, registered in 2010, is for an amount of R595 000.

The second bond to the value of R2.2 million was registered in 2011 by Phahlane and his wife, Brigadier Beauty.

These amounts, deemed lower than the value of the property, are what prompted forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan to open a case against Phahlane in January last year.

In addition, it has also emerged that Phahlane and his wife had acquired five cars, valued at about R4.3 million.

According to the South African Police Service’s 2015-16 annual report, senior management (levels 13-16) and executive authority salaries are pegged at R868 604 per annum.

This means the Phahlanes would have taken home R1 765 192 a year (R147 099 per month) before deductions.

The report also found, among others, that a detailed audit needed to be done with respect to outstanding delivery notes, followed by referral (where applicable) for investigation in terms of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury regulations, and that the South African Revenue Service investigate value added tax irregularities.

“This, regrettably, places another cloud of suspicion over the office of the national police commissioner. Instead of fighting crime, Saps leadership is embroiled in allegations and investigations of corruption,” Mbhele said.

“It is a damning indictment on President Jacob Zuma and Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, suggesting they are incapable of making sound appointments in the senior leadership of Saps.”

Reacting to the allegations against Phahlane, national police spokesperson Brigadier Sally de Beer said: “The allegations in the story unlawfully leaked to the media are inaccurate and seem to be an attempt to defame and humiliate the acting national commissioner.

“Court proceedings will take place very soon during which all will be revealed. The allegations in the leaked story relating to vehicles are also false.”

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