Latest news with #Ipid
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
ActionSA threatens legal action against IPID over delayed Phala Phala report
President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo was the site of a widely publicised 2020 burglary where over US$580,000 in cash was allegedly stolen. Image: IOL IF the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) fails to deliver its report related to the Phala Phala investigation by the new deadline of June 30, ActionSA will pursue legal action, the party warned. The party had applied for access to the report under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) but Ipid requested a 30-day extension, citing issues with their email system. The investigation centres on an alleged cover-up of a 2020 theft involving large sums of US dollars hidden under couches on President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. Despite no official police case being opened, state resources were reportedly used to trace the suspects, some of whom were located in Cape Town and were allegedly assaulted to reveal the whereabouts of the remaining money, much of which had already been spent on luxury vehicles, jewellery, and property in Namibia. In 2022, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) asked Ipid to investigate an alleged police cover-up. But when ATM leader Vuyo Zungula raised the issue through a Parliamentary question, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the report was 'top secret' and would not be shared with the public. ActionSA contends that the classification of the report as 'top secret' was unlawful. This follows the Public Protector's finding that members of the Presidential Protection Unit had acted outside of their legal mandate and abused their powers in relation to investigations into the theft at Phala Phala. In April, ActionSA submitted a PAIA application to unseal the Ipid report. 'In late May, after weeks of radio silence, ActionSA received a formal response from Ipid indicating that they would extend the deadline for releasing the report. The reason given for this delay was that Ipid's email system was down. In submitting this response, Ipid has affirmed ActionSA's belief that it does not want the South African public to see the contents of this report,' said ActionSA national chairperson, Michael Beaumont. In light of their suspicions, the party said they had also submitted parliamentary questions to the Minister of Police to determine whether Ipid's system had indeed been down. 'Our concern is that crimes such as those committed at Phala Phala must be investigated by detectives, not by those tasked with protecting the President. ActionSA will not let this matter rest and if the Ipid report is not received by the new deadline of 30 June 2025, legal action will follow,' Beaumont added. Ipid confirmed that it requested an extension, citing technical challenges. 'Yes, Ipid did request an extension regarding the request for the Phala Phala Report because, at the time, the department experienced technical challenges. In terms of Section 26 (1)of PAIA, the Information Officer, to whom the request for access has been made or transferred, may extend the period of 30 days referred in section 25(1), once for a period not more than 30 days. IPID's information Officer will, therefore, respond to the requester, since we are within the 30-day extension period,' Ipid spokesperson, Lizzy Suping said. Zungal said the longer this report is withheld, 'the clearer it becomes that IPID is either being manipulated, or has chosen to become a political accessory rather than an independent institution serving the people of South Africa'.
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![[Listen] Tshwane SAPS academy rape: Police captain to apply for bail](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fassets%2Fimg%2Fcitizen-icon.png&w=48&q=75){kind=icon}
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
[Listen] Tshwane SAPS academy rape: Police captain to apply for bail
A police captain accused of raping a trainee at the Tshwane SAPS academy is scheduled to make his second appearance at the Pretoria Central Magistrate's Court for a bail application today. Pretoria Rekord reports that Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the officer was arrested by the directorate last Wednesday. She said the 20-year-old trainee was walking with her platoon members to their sleeping quarters when she was called to the captain's office, allegedly by him. The door was then reportedly locked, by the police captain, and Suping said he blackmailed the trainee into sleeping with him. 'He told her that if she did not sleep with him, he would write a misconduct letter regarding an incident that allegedly happened in April, where the police captain was accusing the trainee of failing to salute him.' Suping said the suspect remains in police custody until his court appearance. No one is above the law – minister Police Minister Senzo Mchunu strongly condemned the sexual assault, describing it as a gross violation of the rights that police are entrusted to protect. 'We welcome the swift removal and subsequent arrest of the instructor. This alleged act is not only criminal in nature, but it is a disgraceful abuse of authority and a gross violation of the trust placed in those who are meant to shape and guide the next generation of police officers. To prey on a young recruit who has chosen to serve our nation through the SAPS is both reprehensible and inexcusable,' he said. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit ensured that the victim received the necessary medical care and ongoing emotional and psychological support services. Mchunu said such actions not only harm victims, but also undermine the work the police service collectively does. 'This incident stands in stark contrast to the values and ethics we expect of our officers. It undermines the integrity of the police service and the tireless work of the thousands of officers who serve with honour every day. 'Ipid has been tasked with the matter, and we urge them to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served. We call for swift internal processes to be followed. The perpetrator must be brought to book, and let it be a clear and resounding message – no one is above the law,' Mchunu said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- The Citizen
Police sergeant abuses power, gets 20 years for raping victim inside police station
Ex-police sergeant Thembalethu Gqeku's abuse of power and trust led to a 20-year prison sentence for raping a 17-year-old. A former police sergeant, who took advantage of his position to rape a victim who came to the police station for help, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. The Qumrha Regional Court in the Eastern Cape sentenced 50-year-old Thembalethu Gqeku for raping a 17-year-old girl inside the detectives' office in the Kei Mouth Police Station on 8 August 2022. Rape case initially dropped Before being found guilty and given his sentence this week, Gqeku filed an R3.5 million civil claim against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for malicious prosecution after the case was initially dropped. NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the case was withdrawn at first because the victim was unable to explain herself well during consultation with the prosecution due to trauma. She needed to receive psychological and clinical therapy before the case could be re-enrolled. Victim picked up by sergeant When the rape happened, the victim was picked up from a nearby shop in the sleepy town of Kei Mouth by Gqeku, who was on duty and using a state vehicle. ALSO READ: Bodies of three missing constables identified by families The victim had opened a domestic violence case against her ex-boyfriend, and the sergeant took her by pretending he needed another statement. 'Once inside the office, Gqeku closed the door and proceeded to rape the petite victim on top of the table. The young woman managed to fight back, injured him on the head using an empty bottle, and ran to the charge office screaming,' Tyali said. Gqeku arrested by Ipid 10 days after rape The teenager identified her alleged rapist, but unfortunately, Gqeku's on-duty coworkers, including the acting station commander at the time, did not make an arrest. According to reports, one officer made fun of the victim by asking if she was high on drugs again. The sergeant was only arrested ten days later by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). During Gqeku's trial, he pleaded not guilty, claiming he was a victim of assault by the teenager who was high on drugs. ALSO READ: Drunken argument over being called 'inkwenkwe' ends in cop getting 15 years for murder Senior Public Prosecutor Thango Pangalela led the testimony of the complainant, an on-duty police officer, and a medical professional from the Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC). The state skilfully cross-examined the accused and refuted his version of events. The state's submitted medical report also ruled out drug use by the victim. Delivering judgment on the sentence, Magistrate Joseph Govuza agreed with the state that the aggravating circumstances – that Gqeku used a state car, drove the victim to the police station, and raped her in an office while other persons were present – were unavoidable. Victim believed police station was a safe space The defenceless young victim, who is the same age as Gqeku's son, went to the police station believing it was the safest place. Gqeku has since quit the police and has been a security guard until his conviction. ALSO READ: Off-duty EMPD officer shot dead outside KwaThema spaza shop In the victim impact statement, the teenager said she now hates the police and can't even stand their sight. 'The state asked for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment by adding five more years because Gqeku had brought the whole criminal justice system into disrepute,' Tyali said. 'Unrepentant and unremorseful person' 'The court agreed and concluded that he was an unrepentant and unremorseful person whose conduct on the day was extremely outrageous.' Barry Madolo, the director of public prosecutions for the Eastern Cape, praised the victim, the prosecuting team, the TCC employees, the court preparation officers, and the Ipid investigators for their careful gathering and presentation of evidence in court. 'He added that the state will always be on the side of the victims, particularly the marginalised and vulnerable, in the face of the scourge of gender-based violence,' Tyali concluded. NOW READ: Maile calls for men to lead the fight against GBV
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA enters Phala Phala battleground
ActionSA has filed a PAIA application to gain access to the IPID report in to the Phala Phala matter. Image: Ayanda Ndamane THE fight to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable over the Phala Phala saga appears far from over as ActionSA has now set its sights on having access to the information that led to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (Ipid) report being shelved from the public. The investigation relates to the alleged cover up of the theft of hundreds of thousands of US dollars in cash from Ramaphosa's couches on his Phala Phala farm, in Limpopo in 2020. Despite there being no police case opened, state resources including sophisticated machines used to intercept devices were used to track down the suspects who stole the cash. Once found, among them in Cape Town, the suspects were allegedly assaulted to disclose the whereabouts of the remaining cash. Some of it had already been spent on high end vehicles, jewellery and property in Namibia. In 2022, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) wrote to Ipid requesting an investigation into the alleged police cover-up. However, in a written reply to a parliamentary question by ATM leader Vuyo Zungula in February, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, said the report related to the investigation was "top secret" and would not be made public, sparking public outcry. ActionSA weighed in on the matter on Tuesday by confirming that it recently submitted an application, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to obtain the Ipid report. In response to the Cape Times' questions, Ipid confirmed they received the application but maintained the report remained classified. 'IPID received a request for information from ActionSA on April 22, 2025. Their request was acknowledged on April 23, 2025 and (they) were advised to provide more detail on their request as well as to use the correct form, which was emailed to them. 'In terms of PAIA, our turnaround time to respond to any requests for information is 30 days. It should also be noted that the Phala Phala Report remains classified,' said Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont has maintained that despite several reports, the public still 'does not have access to the information it rightfully deserves'. Classifying a report top secret according to parliamentary policies was only applicable to information that could lead to the declaration of war, the severing of diplomatic ties between states, significant damage to inter-institutional operations, or the disruption of strategic information planning qualifies for such a classification, said the party. '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. The filing of this PAIA application is a fulfilment of our promise to demand transparency from the grand coalition government and to ensure that its leaders act with ethical consideration. ActionSA will continue to serve as an uncompromised, unofficial opposition, filling the void left by former opposition parties that stampeded for power last year. 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. The party was also willing to take the matter to court if necessary. Reacting to ActionSA's application, Zungula, who has also called for the report to be made public, said: 'This is a good move in the fight for accountability and the rule of law. People occupying public office must know they will be held accountable and their actions will be scrutinised even if they attempt to conceal wrongdoing. Transparency is critical to ascertain which public institutions acted in violation of law. The PPS unit attached to the President is still operating yet they were involved in a police cover-up.'
TimesLIVE
29-04-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Keeping Phala Phala report secret undermines fight against impunity
It appears the ghost of Phala Phala continues to haunt President Cyril Ramaphosa. Recently ActionSA, which has appeared to be amenable to the flattery of the ANC, seems to have turned on Ramaphosa in its plight for relevance. In a statement released on Monday, ActionSA announced it has formally submitted 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 at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm. The Herman Mashaba-led party has threatened to take the matter to the high court if necessary. ActionSA's agenda comes after the recent response to parliament by police minister Senzo Mchunu when he claimed the report was classified top secret and could not be released to the public. According to Mchunu, Ipid completed an investigation into the Phala Phala saga in October 2023. The reaction by political parties has been warranted. While political parties have used the Phala Phala saga to leverage for votes, one cannot argue against the validity of their arguments. Political parties have for years indicated how every law enforcement agency has failed to hold either the president or those involved accountable. They have called Mchunu's 'top secret' classification of the report an insult to democracy. The EFF said: 'The classification of the Ipid report as 'top secret' is the latest chapter in the systematic cover-up. Parliament has a duty to oversee the executive, but it is being rendered powerless by a government that protects its leader at all costs. The EFF will not stand by while Ramaphosa continues to evade justice.'
