Khomotso Phahlane. (Lindile Mbontsi, City Press)
- The former acting national police commissioner has been axed from SAPS, according to a media report.
- SAPS could not confirm or deny the report.
- Phahlane was suspended in June 2017 and is currently facing fraud and forgery charges relating to an R86m tender.
Former acting national police commissioner General Khomotso Phahlane has been fired from the SA Police Service, according to a media report.
Broadcaster eNCA reported that Phahlane’s sacking on Thursday evening, however, it was not clear who the source was.
News24 contacted national police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo for comment.
“I cannot confirm or deny, as these are internal processes,” he said.
News24 also contacted Phahlane himself, who declined to comment.
“I am not able to talk to you at this stage,” he said.
Phahlane was suspended in June 2017 with immediate effect following claims by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to Parliament that he was interfering in the directorate’s probes.
The former top cop is also facing fraud charges, along with other high-ranking officers – Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena, national divisional commissioner in charge of supply chain management; Brigadier James Ramanjalum; former Gauteng police commissioner Deliwe de Lange; Gauteng deputy police commissioner Major-General Brigadier Nombhuruza Lettie Napo; and Major General Ravichandran Pillay.
READ: Phahlane arrested on new charges linked to R86m blue lights tender
They have been charged with fraud and forgery, stemming from a 2016 tender of R86 million awarded to Instrumentation Traffic Law Enforcement, owned by millionaire Vimpie Manthatha.
Phahlane was appointed acting commissioner in October 2015, following Riah Phiyega’s suspension. He had previously served as divisional commissioner for forensic services in SAPS.
