MPs accuse law enforcement of ‘cover-up’ after PPS officers cleared despite IPID findings

What MPs told the Police Portfolio Committee

During a briefing to the Police Portfolio Committee, the SAPS, IPID and the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) outlined their respective roles in the probe and disciplinary processes concerning PPS head Major-General Wally Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhoto. MPs criticised the handling of the investigations, disciplinary outcomes and the classification of the IPID report.

IPID findings and recommendations

IPID acting head of investigations Thuso Keefelakae said the IPID investigation arose from a complaint by ATM leader Vuyo Zungula in July 2022 and examined alleged police misconduct, including failure to report crimes under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, not reporting offences under the SAPS Act, an undercover investigation, unlawful arrest, kidnapping, assault, torture, unlawful border crossing and unlawful use of police resources.

Keefelakae said IPID’s probe found that Rhoode did not report the offence to the then-national commissioner Khehla Sitole and failed to ensure registration of case dockets relating to housebreaking and theft at Phala Phala farm. The IPID also found Rhoode conducted interviews with suspects and that Rekhoto went to Cape Town to identify and survey suspects’ addresses. IPID concluded those activities involved the alleged unlawful use of state resources.

Keefelakae added that the unlawfulness of the border crossing could not be conclusively established, but that Rhoode and former presidential adviser Bejani Chauke travelled to Namibia. He said the kidnapping case was opened at Bela-Bela police station but was withdrawn by the victims and complainant. IPID was unable to establish unlawful involvement of former SAPS members, serving members and Crime Intelligence, or bribery of suspects to conceal events at Phala Phala.

IPID recommended disciplinary action against Rhoode and Rekhoto after what Keefelakae described as a thorough, independent and impartial investigation. He said the IPID report was classified to protect the investigation, to avoid naming implicated members publicly and to avoid undermining parallel probes, including by the Hawks and the Public Protector.

SAPS and DPCI responses

The IPID recommendations were submitted to SAPS in October 2023, Keefelakae said, and SAPS notified IPID of a not-guilty outcome in May 2024 after its internal disciplinary hearings. SAPS told the committee it became aware in 2022 of an improper investigation by the two officers, carried out an internal disciplinary investigation, and that an investigating officer had recommended disciplinary action. SAPS said it had complied with recommendations from IPID and the Public Protector.

DPCI head Siphesihle Nkosi said the DPCI investigation into corruption and money laundering was finalised and that the prosecutor declined to prosecute. He said a housebreaking and theft case was in court and due to be heard later this month, and that two foreign suspects remain outstanding and an extradition request has been lodged.

Parliamentary reaction: ‘cover-up’ and questions on equal treatment

MPs across parties expressed concern that PPS members and senior officers might have been treated differently from ordinary members.

“We are of the opinion that the failure to register a criminal act is criminal. When a senior official fails to register a case, it could be because of corruption,”

ADCP leader Kenneth Meshoe.

DA MP Diane Barnard-Kohler said there appeared to be “bizarre standards” in subjecting the officers to a disciplinary process. MK Party MP David Skosana said the integrity and independence of IPID “left much to be desired” and warned the matter would be pursued in an impeachment process, saying “the matter was not dealt with properly.” EFF MP Muzi Khoza said the saga raised serious concerns about accountability and the absence of meaningful consequences for misconduct.

Official responses

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the independence of IPID had been respected during the investigations and that the Phala Phala matter had received extensive investigation.

Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane told MPs there was no special treatment for police members:

“All members, regardless of rank, are subjected to disciplinary hearing equally.”

IPID acting head Hlengani Bila defended the classification of the report, saying the body “could not undermine the integrity of parallel investigations and also had to respect those flagged.”

What remains established on record

• IPID made adverse findings against Major-General Wally Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhoto.
• SAPS internal disciplinary hearings returned a not-guilty outcome in May 2024 for the two officers.
• IPID submitted its recommendations to SAPS in October 2023.
• DPCI finalised a probe into corruption and money laundering but the prosecutor declined to prosecute.
• A housebreaking and theft case linked to Phala Phala remains in court, with two foreign suspects outstanding and an extradition request lodged.

The committee hearing highlighted deep parliamentary scepticism about how different law enforcement bodies handled the Phala Phala investigations and disciplinary processes, and demands for clarity and accountability continue.