Latest news with #IndependentPoliceInvestigativeDirectorate
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Former EC detective handed 20-year jail term for raping minor
JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced former Kei Mouth detective in the Eastern Cape, Thembalethu Gqeku, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a minor. Gqeku assaulted the victim in 2022. She was 17 years old at the time of the incident. The violation allegedly took place at the Kei Mouth Police Station. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) welcomed the former detective's sentencing. In 2022, Gqeku picked up the young girl under the pretext of getting a statement for a case that she had opened against her partner. On the way to the Kei Mouth Police Station, the former detective made advances to the victim, which were rejected. Gqeku proceeded to rape the victim when they arrived at the police station. IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said: "IPID Eastern Cape provincial head, Ms Bongiwe Tukela, says GBVF is a scourge in our country and the department has noted a trend where victims alledge that they were being raped whilst being picked up from taverns, which is a concern. Therefore, IPID is very pleased on its impartial investigation, as well as the dedication of the NPA." Suping added that they were satisfied with the emotional support the victim received from the Department of Social Development in Eastern Cape.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Why Mkhwanazi dug in his heels amid IPID probe
KWAZULU-Zulu Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi continued to maintain his innocence over a probe by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) regarding his conduct, which remains shrouded in mystery. On Tuesday, Mkhwanazi convened a meeting with station commanders and other senior police officials at the Durban Centre Jesus Dome in Mayville. During this closed-door gathering, Mkhwanazi addressed his leadership team, urging them not to yield to external pressures and to always prioritise doing the right thing in their work. 'Are you afraid to be told that you are a commander who does not want to arrest people? I made a decision at one stage that you cannot detain a person if you don't have a case. Where did I end up? In the media. IPID was thrown at me.' The comments were a clear defence of his actions related to the incident that sparked the probe. Mkhwanazi stressed that he had not faltered in his stance, as he believed his decisions had been justified. 'Did I bury my head underground? No, I didn't. I am still standing because I knew what I was doing was right,' he said. Mkhwanazi went on to outline his philosophy on law enforcement, explaining that arrests should not be made for the sake of making arrests. 'You don't arrest a person because you want to arrest. You must be convinced that there is a crime that has been committed before this person is detained in a police station,' he said. He emphasized the importance of a solid case before taking such a serious step. Mkhwanazi also reminded his officers of the honour in their profession, encouraging them to respect the SAPS organisation, the country's flag, and the citizens they served. 'Respect the organisation, colleagues. Love it. Respect the commanders and love the SAPS as your employer. And lastly, respect the flag. If you respect the flag of this country, you are going to respect your client, the citizens, because this is what the flag represents.' During the meeting, Mkhwanazi pointed to the positive strides the province had made in tackling crime. 'The province has shown a decrease in cases of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, car and truck hijacking, as well as robbery at business and residential premises,' he remarked. However, he acknowledged that more work remains to be done to ensure the province is free from crime. The IPID's investigation into Mkhwanazi has sparked significant controversy, with many of his supporters accusing the police watchdog of targeting him unfairly. Some of Mkhwanazi's backers organised a march in his support in Durban. It was called off after reports emerged that the IPID had suspended the investigation. Mkhwanazi's supporters argued that he has been a staunch and effective leader in the fight against crime, particularly in the province, which has long battled high levels of violence and criminal activity. His no-nonsense approach has earned him praise from many South Africans, who believe his leadership was key to reducing crime in KwaZulu-Natal. IPID, however, has remained tight-lipped on the matter. The watchdog's spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, was previously quoted as saying, 'The IPID's position as per our statement released on the 16th of March 2025 is that we are not going to engage on the matter until our investigation is concluded.' The investigation had drawn political support from several parties, including the EFF, IFP, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and the ATM, all of which have publicly backed Mkhwanazi. In addition, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has also voiced its support for the commissioner. WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995 DAILY NEWS
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
ActionSA files application for IPID's ‘top secret' Phala Phala report
The findings of IPID's probe on the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's farm was classified 'top secret' by police minister Senzo Mchnunu. ActionSA has filed an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) report on the theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm. The findings of IPID's probe on the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's farm was classified 'top secret' by police minister Senzo Mchnunu in February. Mchunu in a written reply to a parliamentary question by African Transformation leader (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula last month said the report would not be made public unless formally declassified. Legal and constitutional basis ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said there is now a legal and constitutional basis to justify declassifying the report as top secret. 'Section 3(4)(4) of the minimum information security standards Cabinet policy is explicit that only matters meeting the following criteria may be classified as top secret: Can result in the declaration of war Can lead to the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between states Can seriously damage operational relations between institutions Can disrupt the effective execution of information operational planning and/or plans 'It must be stressed that a Cabinet policy is subordinate to higher legislation, including the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,' Beaumont said. 'Regrettably, South Africans have a sense of déjà vu, with Police Ministers once again appearing to abuse the law to shield the President—where even swimming pools have been seriously presented as fire protection measures.' ALSO READ: Top secret: Phala Phala Ipid report won't see light of day ActionSA promise Beaumont added that the filing of the PAIA application is a 'fulfilment' of the party's promise to demand transparency from the 'grand coalition government and to ensure that its leaders act with ethical consideration.' 'Transparency is not optional. It can never be subjected to political compromise, and it is needed now more than ever, with a colossal GNU constituting 70% of the South African Parliament. 'South Africans deserve answers on Phala Phala, and ActionSA's application is one step towards ensuring those answers are delivered,' Beaumont said. Beaumont said ActionSA would 'contest this matter' in the High Court if necessary. Phala Phala saga The 'top secret' report is the latest instalment in the saga that started in June 2022 when the Jacob Zuma-era director-general at the State Security Agency (SSA) laid a kidnapping and money laundering criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, presidential protection unit head Major-General Wally Rhoode, and Crime Intelligence members for allegedly breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act by not reporting the robbery. Arthur Fraser claimed the suspects who broke into the president's property were subsequently kidnapped, interrogated and paid off to keep silent. According to Fraser's statement, millions of 'undeclared' US dollars were stashed away inside items of furniture at the game farm. However, Ramaphosa and his staff contend that the stolen $580 000 (R8 million) was a deposit by Sudanese businessman and owner of Sudanese football club Al Merrikh SC Hazim Mustafa to buy 20 buffalo. ALSO READ: Man named in Phala Phala report 'not aware' buffalo belonged to Ramaphosa No reasons While the reports by the Public Protector and the SA Reserve Bank are publicly available, Mchunu did not provide a reason why IPID's report had been classified 'top secret' and won't be made public. 'As indicated, IPID has classified the report 'Top Secret' and to suggest that the report is supressed is disingenuous,' Mchunu said. Reserve Bank report While the IPID reports remains 'Top Secret' the SA Reserve Bank cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing in its investigation into the millions of undisclosed foreign currency stolen from his game farm in 2020. Following a year of investigations, the Sarb said in its report it 'cannot conclude' that Ntaba Nyoni Estates CC (the entity involved) which owns the game farm was not 'legally entitled' to the $580 000 it received from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa who are apparently arrived on the farm in a limousine on Christmas Day in 2019. In October last year, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala matter, saying the decision was made following a thorough evaluation of all relevant evidence that the Hawks had provided to the prosecutors. ALSO READ: Reserve Bank blasted: Phala Phala outcome sparks public trust controversy Ramaphosa cleared While Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka cleared Ramaphosa of wrongdoing, she made a recommendation in her office's report to national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to take action against Rhoode over his handling of the investigation. The public protector found that Rhoode acted improperly by investigating the crime without a registered case docket. GNU Beaumont said when ActionSA entered Parliament last year, the party declared that it would not 'simply allow the Phala Phala matter to be swept aside in the manner now seemingly accepted by parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), whose access to power is now tied to the president.' Since the scandal broke, the DA has also lost interest in the matter since joining the GNU, despite party leader John Steenhuisen being a complainant to the Public Protector and the party's calls for Parliament to investigate the matter. ALSO READ: EFF turns to ConCourt to challenge parliament's rejection of Phala Phala report
Eyewitness News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA files application to obtain IPID's report on Phala Phala
JOHANNESBURG -President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal is far from over, with ActionSA now filing an application to obtain police watchdog Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)'s report on the matter. The findings of IPID's probe on the theft of foreign currency at Ramaphosa's farm have been classified as top secret. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu previously told Parliament the report would not be made public unless formally declassified. IPID was roped in to investigate the conduct of Ramaphosa's VIP protection officers, who allegedly travelled to Namibia to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen money. READ: IPID report into Phala Phala saga top secret, won't be made public - Mchunu ActionSA believes that invoking the Promotion of Access to Information Act could enable IPID's disclosure of the guarded report on the Phala Phala scandal. The party's Michael Beaumont says there is now a legal and constitutional basis to justify classifying the report as top secret. "Section 3(4)(4) of the minimum information security standards cabinet policy is explicit that only matters meeting the following criteria may be classified as top secret: 1. can result in the declaration of war; 2. can lead to the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between states; 3. can seriously damage operational relations between institutions; 4. can disrupt the effective execution of information operational planning and/or plans."
IOL News
28-04-2025
- IOL News
Justice served: Ex-cop receives 25-year sentence for raping 15-year-old girl
It took nine years to convict the former warrant officer. The incident took place in Montagu in August 2016 and was investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). Image: Independent Newspapers Disgraced ex-police officer, Frederick Soldaat, who was convicted last month for the rape of a 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. It took nine years to convict the former warrant officer. The incident took place in Montagu in August 2016 and was investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). He also resigned from the police service in 2017. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Montagu Regional Court has sentenced Soldaat to 25 years direct imprisonment after the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment due to the accused's medical condition. 'During the trial, State Advocate Heinrich Koert led evidence which revealed that the victim's mother brought the victim to the trauma room following a disagreement with her daughter at home. 'The mother requested the police to assist by taking her to the police station so that she could calm down,' Ntabazalila said. 'Soldaat was one of the police officers who initially attended the complaint. Police took the victim to the station and booked her into the trauma room, where the accused had to complete an admission form containing, amongst others, the age of the complainant being fifteen at the time. 'He later visited her at least twice while she was in the trauma room. 'He claimed that the victim complimented the colour of his eyes. She initially did not resist, but when he started removing her pants, she then resisted, but he overpowered her. He then raped her in the trauma room. He left her after he finished raping her.' The victim went home the next morning and then reported her rape to her mother. Her mother contacted the police, who resumed their investigation. The victim pointed out the accused, and the police arrested him. 'The state opposed bail, but the court granted him bail. The accused claimed the sexual encounter took place by consent, and he was unaware of the victim's age.' Ntabazalila said the case faced challenges before it could be finalised, which included it being in the branch court, which only sits once a week, the accused changing his legal representatives, causing delays as transcripts had to be typed, and allowing preparation time for his legal representative. 'Loadshedding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and challenges with the CCTV system and the court recording systems caused some of the delays.
