Fight to release Ipid Phala Phala report may end up in court

POLICE Minister Senzo Mchunu says part of classifying as Top-Secret the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report into President Cyril Ramaphosa Phala Phala scandal was to protect witnesses who were involved in the investigation.

He also maintained that no political pressure was being exerted on him to conceal the report from the public.

Mchunu's comments come amid growing pressure from opposition parties who are threatening to take the matter to court. 

The report, which was completed by the Ipid  in October 2023, allegedly contains information about police behavior during the Phala Phala farm scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"It's not exactly that the report should not be released, but what has happened is that there was a complaint filed by the ATM (African Transformation Movement) on the report of Ipid. 

"Ipid received this report about police behavior on the Phala Phala matter, and they started investigating that behavior. While they were dealing with it, there were other aspects investigated by other agencies, and one of them was the Public Protector and the other one was the Hawks."

The report's classification as top secret was done to prevent interference with ongoing investigations, he claimed. 

"Once the others have completed their reports, then the report will be released," he said. Both the Hawks and the office of the public protector have since completed their investigation which exonerated Ramaphosa. 

 "There may be a perception that there is a cover-up, but not after we explain ourselves. If IPID were to release their report only to disturb criminal investigations, apart from other aspects, because other aspects are to protect witnesses who were involved in the investigation."

The minister also denied there was any political pressure on him to suppress the report. "Ipid completed their report, according to them, in October 2023, that was way before I was even the minister. I only became a minister in 2024 in July. That report had already been classified, so therefore, I can't be under pressure from anyone on a report that was completed long before I came in. All I have done is that I have observed the decisions that are guiding the release of this report under which it was classified as top secret," Mchunu said.

The ATM has already announced plans to take the matter to court, while other parties are expected to follow suit.

Party spokesperson Zama Ntshona said his organisation was to meet soon to discuss the way forward on the matter.

“What is clear is that this can't be the end of this…We need answers around the Phala-Phala farm gate scandal. We can go the legal route so that the report must be unsealed because we cannot have this phenomenon of having bank statements (related to the CR17 campaign) sealed and now this sealed. Everything around President Cyril Ramaphosa’s way must be sealed,” he said.

EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said parliamentary attempts to get the IPID report public had been exhausted. “Our last resort was the Constitutional Court, where we challenged Parliament's unjust decision to block the report,” Thambo said. 

MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party was steadfast in uncovering the truth and  would be relying on the police and intelligence portfolio committees to seek accountability, failing which they will seek legal advice. 

“South Africa cannot be governed by secrecy, deception, and political favours. If Ramaphosa and his enablers think they can continue to rule through lies and cover-ups, they are gravely mistaken. People in this country deserve better. The truth will come out,” said Ndhlela.

Cape Times