McBride tells parly Ipid has ‘valid reasons’ to probe Phahlane

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is digging an even deeper hole for acting police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane.

On Wednesday Ipid director Robert McBride backed the investigation against him, arguing before the portfolio committee on police that there were reasons why he should be probed.

Supporting an Ipid raid on the commissioner’s home recently, McBride said there was room to suggest Phahlane had inadequately answered questions about allegations of fraud and corruption, among others, that had been levelled at him.

These included the use of state funds and alleged bribes to pay for and live in his R8 million house; drive a fleet of fancy cars and entertain with a state-of-the-art surround sound system believed to be worth R80 000.

Phahlane has disputed all these claims and argued that “so-called” Ipid officials and independent investigator Paul O’Sullivan invaded his home without any knowledge that an investigation against him was under way.

McBride said it was unfortunate for Phahlane to say this considering there were recordings of conversations with Ipid about the investigation.

On multiple occasions before parliament, Phahlane has denied the allegations.

READ MORE: Ipid puts Marikana investigation on hold due to lack of funds 

But Ipid head of investigations Matthews Sesoko said while the watchdog body for the police was not presuming guilt, the circumstances involving Phahlane were “odd”.

Correspondence requesting bank statements had gone unanswered bar one reply.

Sesoko said the evidence so far indicated “without contradiction” that at least some explanation from Phahlane was necessary.

Regarding the Ipid officers who raided Phahlane’s home and were accused of being impersonators, McBride said: “There isn’t a snowballs chance that those claims (against O’Sullivan and his assistant) of falsely impersonating Ipid officers will ever stand up in court because it didn’t happen.”

He also pointed out that it was not true that O’Sullivan was an employee of Ipid, adding that independent assistants were needed to help in investigations at times.

He said it was easy to target O’Sullivan, who is currently before the courts, as he had aided in the investigation, but Phahlane’s involvement in alleged corruption should be the focus.

McBride also said the matter had not dropped onto President Jacob Zuma’s desk yet.

Ipid also told the committee that it was cash strapped, which had meant that two key instructions couldn’t be completed.

Ipid’s role in the Marikana Commission of Inquiry into the mine massacre had been stymied because there hadn’t been enough funding to re-create a crime scene, including ballistic reports.

In addition, it was still relying on the police for essential equipment.

The budget problem had made its attempts to become entirely independent impossible.

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