IDAC PROVISIONALLY WITHDRAWS R191M BLUE LIGHTS CASE AGAINST FORMER ACTING TOP COP PHAHLANE

Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane at proceedings this week as IDAC confirms provisional withdrawal of the R191m blue lights case for further review. IDAC says Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara will pursue certain aspects before re-enrolling the matter.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has provisionally withdrawn the R191-million SAPS “blue lights” corruption case against former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and his co-accused.

IDAC confirmed on Monday that the decision followed “careful consideration” by Acting Investigating Director, Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara, who will peruse certain aspects of the case before re-enrolling it. IDAC says the withdrawal is not an acquittal.

Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the matter had already been subjected to the IDAC Review Panel and was found to have been properly authorised and within IDAC’s mandate.

The case relates to a 2016 contract to supply emergency warning equipment — blue lights and sirens — for SAPS vehicles. The contract was valued at R191-million. About R65-million was paid to service provider Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (Pty) Ltd, owned by businessman Vimpie Manthata. A further R22-million payment was stopped during the investigation.

It is alleged that during procurement, SAPS ignored competitive bidding and favoured Manthata’s company in exchange for benefits.

The accused face charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering.

Phahlane is charged with former Deputy National Commissioner for HR, Lt-Gen Bonang Mgwenya; former Gauteng Police Commissioner Deliwe de Lange; Gauteng Deputy Commissioner Nombhuruza Lettie Napo; retired divisional commissioner Lt-Gen Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena; retired Maj-Gen Ravichandran Pillay; Col Thomas Dumas Marima; and Sgt Maetapese Joseph Mulaiwa.

The civilian accused are Judy Rose, Samantha Andrews, and Manthata. Their previous attempt to have the case struck off the roll was dismissed by the court.

In a reaction interview with the SABC, Phahlane claimed the charges were “concocted” to remove him as accounting officer, saying his signature does not appear on any contract documents. IDAC has not responded to those allegations.