Police chief refutes Ipid raid claims

ACTING national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane has refuted claims of a planned raid on the offices of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid)‚ describing the claims as outrageous.

Ipid said yesterday they had information of a planned raid on their offices by the South African Police Service.

“Phahlane has consistently refused to comment since he considers it unethical and counterproductive to conduct investigations and trials through the media,” his spokeswoman, Major-General Sally de Beer‚ said.

“He also respects the position of the portfolio committee on police that the media is not the platform to use to resolve issues of this nature.”

Phahlane said: “The propaganda campaign embarked upon by Ipid and this baseless allegation‚ which is completely unsubstantiated by facts‚ must be responded to, as it casts the South African Police Service in an undeservedly bad light.

“We can categorically state that there were no plans by the South African Police Service‚ on my instructions or to my knowledge‚ to raid Ipid’s offices.

“Ipid refers to reliable information relating to a planned raid without giving any clarity as to the source, or elaborating on why‚ if such raid had been planned‚ it was not carried out.”

Phahlane urged SAPS members to disregard any attempts to derail their focus and attention from executing their policing duties.

“Our commitment and dedication must remain on creating a safe and secure environment for all in South Africa at all times,” he said.