The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) insists that it has recommended disciplinary action against two SAPS officers, including a senior member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s protection detail, over their alleged role in failing to report the 2020 Phala Phala farm burglary.

The report, declassified last week, relates to a February 2020 break-in at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm, during which about $580,000 (roughly R8 million at the time) was allegedly stolen from inside a sofa.

Those implicated are Major General Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service, and Constable HH Rekhotho, who is attached to the Presidential Protection Services Unit at head office in Pretoria.

According to IPID, both officers failed to report a prescribed offence to their commanding officer as soon as they became aware of it, in contravention of the SAPS Act.

The findings follow the release of IPID’s report into the conduct of members of the Presidential Protection Service Unit after a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application by ActionSA and the African Transformation Movement (ATM). 

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu had previously indicated that the report would remain classified.

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the investigation was limited to police conduct under section 28 of the IPID Act 1 of 2011.

“The Phala Phala Farm investigation was also conducted by other agencies, including the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), whose focus was on the criminal aspect of the incident that occurred at the farm.”

“In terms of the IPID findings, Major General WP Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhotso contravened the SAPS Act 68 of 1995 as they failed to inform their commanding officer of a prescribed offence as soon as they became aware of it,” she said.

Suping said the investigation also found that the officers conducted an inquiry without registering a case on the SAPS case management system with a reference to a specific police station, and failed to document the breach of security at the farm in the SAPS 2020 and 2021 annual report, among other findings.

“Although the investigation was concluded in 2023, the report remained classified until February 2, 2026 because IPID did not want to prejudice the DPCI investigation that was ongoing at the time due to common elements between the various investigations.”

“As prescribed in Section 30 of the IPID Act, SAPS was also requested to provide a report on the disciplinary process to the Minister of Police and the Executive Director of IPID.”

Suping said SAPS had conducted its own internal process, which reached a different outcome from IPID’s findings.

“While IPID acknowledges the internal disciplinary mechanisms available to SAPS, it (IPID) remains guided by its legislative mandate in terms of the IPID Act and stands by its findings and recommendations, as they were based on the evidence gathered.”

“In its role as an oversight body on police misconduct, IPID continues to conduct impartial investigations premised on thoroughness and quality and not mere compliance with the IPID Act.”

“IPID will continue to engage constructively with SAPS to promote accountability, consistency, and public confidence in the handling of such matters,” she added.

Meanwhile, ActionSA has written to the Public Protector requesting that the Phala Phala investigation be reopened, arguing that officials in the Presidency may have misused state resources to cover up the robbery.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said the party had written to Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka urging her to reopen the investigation.

“The original Public Protector report into the Phala Phala farm robbery placed emphasis on investigating the conduct of the President and members of the Presidential Protection Unit.”

“What is now evidenced by the recently unsealed IPID report is that the scope of the investigation must be significantly broadened to examine the role of all officials with proximity to the President.”

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has also written to Parliament seeking the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa. Parliament confirmed receipt of the correspondence.

“The correspondence from the African Transformation Movement is received,” Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo previously told IOL News.

“The Speaker is currently applying her mind to its contents and will be guided by the Constitution, the rules of the National Assembly, and established parliamentary processes in arriving at any decision.”

ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona welcomed Parliament’s acknowledgement and urged impartiality from the Speaker.

“Our expectation is that the Speaker applies her mind to the matter in a non-partisan and impartial manner, allowing space for this issue to be ventilated. It has gone on for far too long,” Ntshona told IOL News.

“We cannot have a President who has a cloud hanging over his head.”

“The 2024 elections changed the narrative significantly. The ANC can no longer rely on its majority to shield important matters,” he said.

He added that parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU) would face a critical choice between protecting individuals and upholding democratic principles.

“The point is simple: why should the $580,000 found in couches be treated differently?” he said.

“What we seek is the entrenchment of the rule of law and the principle that all citizens are equal before it.”

*This article was first published by IOL News