Parliament – Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said he was exploring his legal options after receiving a request from the police watchdog (Ipid) to place acting national SA Police Service (Saps) boss Khomotso Phahlane on suspension or leave while an investigation into his alleged relationship with police service providers is under way.
"With regard to that matter, we are applying our minds before we respond. We'll respond to Robert McBride, executive director [of Ipid] in terms of our legal position on that matter," said Mbalula while addressing media ahead of tabling his department's R87 billion budget in Parliament.
McBride and Phahlane squared off in Parliament last week while appearing before the portfolio committee on police. McBride accused Phahlane of interfering in Ipid's probe into him.
In turn, Phahlane accused McBride and the Ipid of not being independent and letting private investigator Paul O'Sullivan run their probe.
Mbalula said he was awaiting a report on the investigation into Phahlane, what it entailed and whether or not the Ipid's independence had been tainted.