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.”

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.

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.

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

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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