MPs say selective accountability risks undermining trust after Rhoode cleared in Phala Phala probe

The Portfolio Committee on Police has raised concerns that the South African Police Service’s internal disciplinary process into the Phala Phala burglary may have left Major General Wally Rhoode unaccountable, a result the committee says could undermine public trust in policing.

Committee questions disciplinary outcome

During a follow-up meeting with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the committee said it was troubled by the SAPS disciplinary process that cleared Rhoode. The committee noted a divergence between IPID’s findings and the outcome of the SAPS internal process, and described the discrepancy as difficult to reconcile.

Some members said the disciplinary outcome had created a perception of a cover-up. The committee highlighted that police protocols require Rhoode, who is the Head of the Presidential Protection Unit, to report such an incident to his immediate superior, and said accountability for that reporting requirement appeared absent.

Concerns about process and rush to closure

Members raised concerns that SAPS may have moved to close the matter without adequately engaging Rhoode’s superior to clarify whether travel arrangements had been approved and whether he had been authorised to conduct his own investigation into the burglary.

Committee chair Ian Cameron said accountability must be applied uniformly across the police service.

“The fact that Major General Rhoode was never held accountable is both unacceptable and carries the potential risk of undermining public trust in the SAPS. ‘Accountability cannot be selective, particularly when senior officers are involved,'” Cameron said.

Parliamentary coordination before summoning Rhoode

The committee resolved that it needs to engage Parliament’s Impeachment Committee before inviting Rhoode to appear, to avoid duplicating oversight work relating to SAPS’s handling of the Phala Phala burglary and the subsequent investigation conducted by Rhoode.

Cameron said:

“It is important to engage the Impeachment Committee to prevent any duplication of work, as this matter forms a critical part of that committee’s work.”

He added the committee would make a determination on the way forward after its engagement with the Impeachment Committee.

Next steps and oversight commitment

The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that outstanding questions about the matter are fully ventilated through the appropriate parliamentary oversight mechanisms. It said it would continue pursuing the matter and engaging all relevant stakeholders to strengthen public confidence in policing institutions and ensure accountability is upheld.