Phahlane labels his arrest ‘irrational’, is released on R20K bail

During his court appearance earlier today, former police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane made a number of claims against outgoing Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride. Phahlane and his co-accused have been granted R20,000 bail each and have been charged with fraud and corruption in an R86 million tender.

The former police commissioner alongside Major-General Ravichandran Pillay appeared in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court on Friday for their bail application.

The pair are among five other suspects who were arrested on Friday in connection with an IPID investigation into procurement irregularities on the fitting of blue lights to police vehicles to the value of R86 million.

Phahlane now faces allegations that he and other senior police staff acted improperly in the awarding of a 2016 tender that went to Instrumentation Traffic Law Enforcement, owned by millionaire Vimpie Manthatha.

In his bail affidavit, Phahlane said former IPID boss Robert Mcbride had for years launched a witchhunt against him claiming the investigation against him was “tainted”.

“This investigation against me is tainted. McBride is not fit and proper to lead IPID.”

BREAKING In his bail affidavit former acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso #Phahlane says former IPID boss Robert Mcbride has for years launched a witchunt against him.

'This investigation against me is tainted. McBride is not fit and proper to lead IPID`#SABCNews

— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) March 1, 2019

According to statements made in his affidavit, Phahlane believed the timing of his arrest was highly suspicious and believed it was part of a ploy to get McBride reappointed.

[JUST IN] #Phahlane affidavit is scathing.
He says the timing of his arrest is highly suspicious and reeks of point scoring to bolster #Mcbrides efforts to be re-appointed at IPID Head. #Phahlane says McBride is corrupt himself, he’s not a proper to lead IPID.

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

#Phahlane tells the court in his affidavit that his arrest is irrational, designed to humiliate and cause sensation.

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

#Phahlane arrest and court appearance follows a probe by IPID into a multi million rand blue light tender. His court appearance comes a day after former IPID Head Robert #Mcbride’s contract comes to an end. McBride has headed to court to keep his job.

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

Former police number one Khomotso #Phahlane and Maj-Gen Ravi Pillay in the dock. They face corruption and fraud charges. pic.twitter.com/uHaUGbTeJX

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

Following news of the arrest, Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini issued a statement confirming the arrests and the charges.

“The arrests relate to procurement irregularities relating to emergency (blue) lights amounting to more than R86 million rand. The IPID conducted an investigation and gathered evidence of criminality. The suspects are 51 years and 56 years old, respectively. They will appear at the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court,” said Dlamini.

Now court heeard affidavits written by #Phahlane and co-accused Ravi. The pair are applying for bail. #Ravi says he is a first time offender and will not evade trial, he states that a 20 thousand rand bail would be affordable for him.

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

Phahlane went on to claim that his arrest was a setup.

ITS A SET UP! That’s what #Phahlane legal team has told the JHB commercial crimes court about what is he in the dock. He states the arrest is designed to humiliate him and be sensational.

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 1, 2019

Phahlane and his co-accused Maj-Gen Ravi were granted R20,000 bail each. They are due back in court on March 29 2019.

ALSO READ: Former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane arrested for R86m tender

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