Zungula questions Rhoode SAPS outcome

African Transformation Movement (ATM) parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula has accused the ruling party of shielding its deployees, after Presidential Protection Services head, Major-General Wally Rhoode, was cleared of any wrongdoing by the SAPS. 

This follows the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing into findings made against him by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka two years ago in connection with the Phala Phala scandal.

“Major-General Rhoode was subjected to a formal disciplinary trial as contemplated in the SAPS Disciplinary Regulations, 2016.

“He was found not guilty of any misconduct related to the findings of the Public Protector in that he conducted an illegal investigation in relation to the robbery at the Phala Phala farm of the President, (Cyril) Ramaphosa, in Limpopo in February 2020,” Acting Police minister, Firoz Cachalia said.

Cachalia further confirmed that Rhoode remained an active member of the police service and remained in the position of head of Presidential Protection Service. 

However, Zungula said that the Phala Phala matter would still be revisited.

“A police officer who conducted an illegal investigation and used state resources to unlawfully investigate theft of undeclared dollars in the President’s farm has been cleared of any wrongdoing,” Zungula said.

He accused the ANC of stopping "at nothing to protect their deployees". 

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri did not respond to questions yesterday.

Gcaleka's report, which delved into allegations of misconduct by President Ramaphosa himself, found that Rhoode was not authorised to investigate the burglary at the President’s farm. 

The incident, which involved a substantial sum of undeclared foreign currency, was reportedly brought to Rhoode's attention by Ramaphosa, leading to an alleged "off-the-books" investigation. 

Gcaleka concluded that Rhoode's actions were improper and lacked the necessary authority to launch such an investigation. She explicitly dismissed his assertion that he was merely conducting a threat analysis, emphasising the illicit nature of his involvement.

As part of her remedial action, Gcaleka had instructed then police minister Bheki Cele to acknowledge findings of maladministration and improper conduct against the SAPS, particularly concerning the alleged improper conduct of police officers within the Presidential Protection Services.

Cachalia declined to respond to further questions by Zungula, on whether the censoring of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) report into the matter undermined public confidence in the IPID's ability to effectively act against "rogue policemen". 

However, touching on the same issues in a separate parliamentary response to ActionSA MP Dereleen James, Cachalia addressed the classification of documents related to the Phala Phala case. 

According to the minister, the Ipid report was classified "Top Secret" in line with the minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) approved by cabinet. Cachalia said the report had the potential to disrupt operational planning and significantly damage relations between various institutions, thus necessitating its stringent classification. 

"The report will remain classified until these elements are no longer in existence,” Cachalia said.