Cape Town – Acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane on Thursday confirmed meeting with members of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate regarding allegations against him of corruption and defeating the ends of justice and said the directorate served him with a search warrant.
But while Ipid declined to confirm an investigation or reports of a raid on Phahlane's home in a leafy enclave north of Pretoria, he accused the watchdog body of seeking to humiliate him by tipping off the media and threatened to sue.
Phahlane's office said in both the allegations of corruption and defeating the ends of justice appeared to emanate from independent forsensics investigator Paul O'Sullivan.
"The meeting was in connection with allegations under investigation by Ipid relating to alleged corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The defeating the ends of justice case relates to allegations publicly made following an investigation and the interviewing of witnesses, led by Paul O’Sullivan accompanied by Ipid investigators," Phahlane's office said.
"The corruption allegations are in relation to the purchase of a sound system, allegedly by co-directors of a private company. Paul O’Sullivan is apparently the complainant in the alleged corruption case."
Phahlane's office said it was mutually agreed with Ipid investigators that he would respond to their questions in writing.
The commissioner was served with a search warrant dated December 29, which made reference to a sound system purchased for more than R80 075 and provided the investigator with proof that he paid for it from his private Nedbank account in April 2012.
"The acting national commissioner will continue to respect and fully cooperate with any authority competent to conduct investigations in accordance with the laws of our country," Phahlane's office said.
However, Phahlane took strong exception to the arrival of media while the investigators were at his house.
"It is unfortunate that this investigation is being conducted through the media, characterised by the distortion of facts, disinformation and malice, including an insult on the integrity of the acting national commissioner and his family.
"It is against this background that the entire investigation is considered an assault on the character and integrity of the acting national commissioner aimed at irreparably damaging his reputation and taking his focus away from the execution of his duties."
Phahlane has briefed his lawyers to "take the matter forward".
Contacted earlier, Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini told ANA: "We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation." He added that he could not “confirm nor deny” that Ipid was indeed probing Phalane, though it has been reported since November last year, that the directorate is investigating him for alleged corruption.
While he spoke, media had arrived at the commissioner’s home in the Sable Hills Waterfront Estate.
The luxury home is not incidental to the probe, as Phalane’s accusers claim it was bought with protection money from mobsters.
Phalane and Ipid head Robert McBride find themselves on opposite sides in a highly politicised battle involving senior justice system figures, in turn related to the factional battles within government.
The investigation against Phalane began with a docket opened by O’Sullivan who alleged that he protected convicted crime lord Radovan Krejcir.
O’Sullivan also alleged that while McBride was suspended from his post in the same wrangle that ended former Hawks boss Anwa Dramat’s career, the then acting head of Ipid tipped off Phahlane about the charges against him.
McBride returned to his post after he successfully challenged the police minister’s power to suspend him.