MPs can now quiz witnesses on Phala Phala report

MPs sitting on the Ad Hoc Committee probing alleged corruption and political interference within the SAPS have set their sights on getting to the bottom of the decision to classify as top secret the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report into the Phala Phala saga.

This after committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane gave them the green light to ask questions related to the Phala Phala issue following a heated exchange amid body shaming, sarcasm, and harsh words among the members of the committee.

“It is true that if honourable members want to probe or inquire about alleged corruption, if there has been, they will not be wrong in terms of the terms of reference that we have adopted.

“Those are two issues that belong here to this meeting,” Lekganyane said in reference to the classified Phala Phala report.

This happened during the fourth day of testimony by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, when he was asked about the classified IDPI report on Phala Phala.

Mchunu, a Ramaphosa ally, had defended his decision, saying part of classifying the report was to protect witnesses who were involved in the investigation. The report, which was completed by the Ipid in October 2023, allegedly contains information about police behavior during the Phala Phala farm scandal involving Ramaphosa. The charges included defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping of suspects, interrogation on his property and bribery. ANC MP Khusela Sangoni-Diko revisited the classified report when she made Mchunu restate his earlier testimony that the IPID director classified the document and that the watchdog body probed police conduct.

Mchunu said one had to wait until IPID declassified the document upon review of their decision.

He also said IPID classified the Phala Phala report independent of himself, while there were parallel investigations by investigation bodies.

EFF leader Julius Malema said if there was corruption at IPID, including on the Phala Phala report, MPs were within their right to raise it in the inquiry.

Malema said his party held the view that the Phala Phala report was wrongly classified and there was no justification for its classification as “classified”.

ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli noted that the IPID report has sometimes been a reference point during the inquiry.

He echoed Malema’s sentiment that the issue of Phala Phala was within the terms of reference of the inquiry in whatever way it arises.

Cape Times