The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) along with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation have raided properties belonging to business people suspected of having an inappropriate relationship with former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.
The raids came less than two weeks after Khehla Sitole was appointed as the new national police commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The appointment of Sitole appears to have emboldened Ipid after years of intimidation and conflict with SAPS.
The raids also coincided with Ipid executive director Robert McBride’s remarks in Parliament that he was confident Sitole’s appointment would allow Ipid to function without intimidation.Sitole told Parliament last week that he would be ringing in major changes in the SAPS, including lifestyle audits for high-ranking officers and changing the appointment system to ensure nobody entered the police ranks without some form of security clearance.
He cited the prevalence of violent crime and perceptions of increasing corruption in society in justifying this decision. It was his first briefing to Parliament’s portfolio committee on police.However, the agencies involved in the raids remained tight-lipped about the operation except to confirm that raids had taken place.
Up to seven properties were raided in connection with an investigation into corruption and money laundering involving former acting commissioner Phahlane.
The properties searched included Phahlane’s home in Sable Hills, Pretoria; the offices of FDA owner Keith Keating as well as his home; the office and home of businessman and car dealer Durand Snyman; the home of Col Johann Potgieter, who works in the technology management systems unit of the SAPS with Phahlane’s wife, Beauty; and the home of Phahlane’s sister.
Potgieter is believed to have received two cars from Snyman. A vehicle was seized from Phahlane’s sister’s house.Equipment from the SAPS’s local criminal record centres was found at Keating’s offices.
A bakkie-load of documents was seized from Keating’s house and offices. Brand-new radio frequency identification tags were found hidden at a construction site. It is believed the SAPS paid R374m for the tags.
According to sources in the operation who did not wish to be named, documents showing Phahlane’s involvement in the fabrication of cases against McBride and Ipid investigators were also found at Phahlane’s house.
Hangwani Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the Hawks, referred all questions to Ipid as he said the police watchdog was leading the operation.
Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini confirmed that a raid operation did take place but could not comment further.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.