Phala Phala: IPID report sealed as ANC veterans criticise govt

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Cape Town – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on the Phala Phala scandal remains classified and will not be made public.

The investigation examined the conduct of VIP police officers assigned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who allegedly crossed into Namibia in pursuit of stolen US dollars following the 2020 burglary at his Limpopo farm.

Responding to a parliamentary question from ATM leader Vuyo Zungula on Wednesday, Mchunu denied suppressing the report, stating that it cannot be released until it is declassified.

“It is impermissible to make available a classified report for the purpose that the ATM has requested it for. In essence, there is no delay in making the report available, but it is not allowed to make it available,” Mchunu said, as quoted by EWN .

He also refused to disclose whether police acted on the recommendations from the Public Protector’s 2023 report.

The ATM has consistently demanded transparency, submitting multiple requests and complaints. However, Mchunu insists he is not violating any ethical codes and cannot interfere with IPID’s operations.

Among those investigated was Major General Wally Rhoode, head of the presidential protection unit.

Meanwhile, IOL reports that ANC veterans Tokyo Sexwale and Matthews Phosa have strongly criticised the government’s handling of the Phala Phala scandal, which has plagued Ramaphosa since 2022.

The controversy stems from the 2020 theft of $580,000 (R8.7 million) hidden in couches at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm.

Despite being cleared by the ANC’s Integrity Commission and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Sexwale and Phosa believe the scandal remains unresolved.

Sexwale dismissed the official explanations as a “cock and bull story,” questioning the origin of the money and the lack of transparency.

“I don’t know what happened there. Money was found on couches, etc. The president was not there except for the people working on the farm,” Sexwale said. “I think more explanations should have come.

People are not satisfied with the answers that have come. We are thinking exactly what happened there. Whose money was it?”

Phosa argued that the issue will continue to haunt Ramaphosa, regardless of legal rulings.

“From where I sit, I never thought Phala Phala would go away because Parliament voted the way it did. Even after the court decision, if the court decision goes in favor of the President, Phala Phala will still not die,” Phosa said.

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