Khomotso Phahlane: Ex-police commissioner faces fraud, still earns R4m

The case of fraud against ex-national police comissioner, Khomotso Phahlane, has continued at the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday.

The matter involves a R84-million tender that was allegedly siphoned by Lt Gen. Khomotso Phahlane and his co-accused:

• Brig Ravi Pillay;
• Gauteng Deputy Commissioner Major General Nombhurhuzo Napo;
• Ex-Top Cop of Gauteng, General Deliwe De Lange;
• SAPS procurement head, Brig James Ramanjalum; and
• supply head, Lt Gen Ramahlapi Mokwena.

How Khomotso Phahlane stands accused as tender mastermind

As reported by IOL News, the investigation relates to a 2016 tender that was procured for the installation of blue lights, sirens and radio equipment for the Gauteng SAPS fleet.

Irregularities in the way in which the procurement was handled is the subject of a fraud case that could see all of the accused spend a minimum of 15 years in jail. This eventuality, according to a confident Khomotso Phahlane, is farfetched.

“I am the most senior lieutenant- general within the SAPS today, and it has been painful to sit at home and watch the crime situation get out of hand. But I will be back in the service to do my work,” he said before court proceedings, on Thursday.

The matter has since been postponed to 17 March 2020, to allow the State enough time to collect forensic evidence, as well as the results of lifestyle audits that will be conducted on all defendents.

Stay-at-home Phahlane still earns Top Cop salary

Khomotso Phahlane was forced to step down from his position in June 2017, right after the tender scandal was exposed, However, it seems that the ex-Top Cop has earned monthly salaries totalling R4-million since he has been “on a paid holiday”.

“My stay at home has been unexplained, because it is not leave and it is not special leave – there is no such thing as special leave. “So this really needs to be explained to the public,” he said.

SAPS policy states that suspended employee ought to face disciplinary action within a span of 90 days. It has been a little over two years since Phahlane has been let off for allegations of fraud, something which is considered as a gross act of misconduct.

The police services, however, has refused to entertain any questions about Phahlane’s situation. Instead, they claim that his case is “an internal matter and it is being dealt with as such, internally.”

Phahlane and his co-accused are free to roam the streets on bail, as the State pursues leads to tighten its case.