Phahlane loses out
New top cop takes over
Embattled police chief Khomotso Phahlane has been given two days to provide reasons why he should not be suspended from his permanent position as the SA Police Service head of forensic services.
This was after he was removed with immediate effect as acting national police commissioner of the SAPS. This was announced last night in Cape Town by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula said Phahlane’s removal as acting police commissioner was endorsed by President Jacob Zuma as the appointing authority of the national police commissioner.
His removal as acting commissioner and imminent suspension follows serious complaints of impropriety and corruption against him filed by forensic investigator Paul O' Sullivan, which are being probed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) – the police watchdog body.
“He [Phahlane] must stay at home,” said Mbalula last night.
He thanked Zuma for his “wisdom” in deciding to remove Phahlane‚ adding that he had informed the president that Phahlane’s presence tarnished the SAP S’ s image.
“... I informed His Excellency‚ President Jacob Zuma‚ that the General’s continued holding of office negatively impacts on the Ministry and department for which I am responsible‚” Mbalula said.
Mbalula said the serious allegations of misconduct impacted on his fitness to hold office.
Mbalula said Zuma has now appointed Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba as the Acting National Police Commissioner with immediate effect.
Mbalula said Mothiba will act in the interim until a permanent commissioner was appointed, possibly by the end of August.
“He will be acting interim not acting permanently. I can tell you by August we should have a national police commissioner in the Republic of South Africa.
“The president will have applied his mind. He will make that decision. We’ve got no time to waste.
“Our people are crying for the intervention of the police. Police need to be well oiled to do their job. We said we want stability and that is what is important,” said Mbalula.
He said pending his representations, Phahlane could be suspended until the Ipid probe against him was finalised.
“Those who are making claims about his incompetence and all of that, they’ve got the right to bring those things to a court of law.”
Phahlane has repeatedly claimed that Ipid head Robert McBride had targeted him unfairly, claiming recently in parliament that the police watchdog body had been “captured” by O’Sullivan.
‘ ‘ I informed Zuma that Phahlane’s continued holding of office impacted negatively on SAPS