Ipid deepens its probe against Phahlane over luxury vehicles

Acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane will reportedly approach a court on Wednesday to stop what he believes is a malicious campaign to discredit him by police watchdog organisation, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

EWN reported on Wednesday that Ipid has broadened its investigation against the top cop – who has also been probed by the independent body for defeating the ends of justice and corruption – over how he bought and financed at least six cars, including luxury vehicles, over the last three years.

According to the report, national police spokesperson Sally de Beer said the information on how Phahlane bought and financed several vehicles was leaked unlawfully in an attempt to defame and humiliate him.

An affidavit from a car dealer, seen by EWN, apparently states that the owner of the dealer bought a Hilux bakkie for Phahlane to use for 18 months.

“The man says while he derived no benefit from the deal, he had hoped to include Phahlane as a black empowerment partner in future business ventures,” EWN reported.

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The latest “turf war” between the police and Ipid comes a week after the watchdog obtained a search-and-seizure warrant to raid Phahlane’s exclusive Pretoria North Sable Hills Waterfront Estate home last Thursday. Ipid investigators seized a home theatre system worth R80 000 from his home.

The acting national police commissioner also made a warning statement to the Ipid regarding their corruption investigation on the same day.

At the weekend the DA called for Phahlane to appear before parliament’s police portfolio committee to answer questions over the raid. The party said it would ask committee chairperson Francois Beukman to summon the Ipid to brief MPs about the matter.

Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini declined to comment on developments in the case, saying it was part of an ongoing investigation.