The Phala Phala farm burglary came under scrutiny from the Portfolio Committee on Police on Wednesday.
Members of Parliament questioned the conduct of Presidential Protection Unit Head, Major General Wally Rhoode, following the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm.
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum grilled South African Police Service over why Rhoode did not open a criminal case after learning of the theft and whether he acted outside the law by conducting his own investigation.
A central question from MPs was whether Rhoode had a legal obligation to report the crime through official police channels instead of pursuing the matter independently.
“Does he not have a responsibility to inform SAPS if he knows a crime has been committed? Who gave him the authority to investigate independently? Did he just go rogue,” DA MP Lisa-Maré Schickerling asked.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)’s Thuso Keefelakae says Rhoode was supposed to inform his immediate supervisor.
“The SAPS Act stipulates that where a member becomes aware of a prescribed offence, he or she must inform their commanding officer as soon as possible.”
Several opposition parties argued that the handling of the matter created the impression that different rules applied because the alleged victim was the President.
“If it was not because of the incumbent involved in this matter, I think the case could have been closed by now. There has been reluctance to be forthright,” said ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.
African Transformation Movement (ATM) Parliamentary Leader Vuyo Zungula said there was a cover-up. “We must not run away from the fact that this is a cover-up. Had it been anyone else besides the president, there would be no such dilly-dallying.”
uMkhonto we Sizwe Party MP Wesley Doughlas shared the same sentiments. “General Rhoode went rogue. The obvious beneficiary of these actions was the president himself, who benefited from these cover-ups. “
Other MPs questioned whether established policing protocols had been followed, while some suggested that Parliament may have to intervene directly if SAPS could not hold Rhoode accountable.
“Was there any investigation done to determine why the matter was not properly recorded according to police protocols? “asked ANC MP Mogodu Moela.
Action SA’s MP Dereleen James asked the committee to deal with the matter. “What stops this committee from subpoenaing Rhoode to come here and answer our questions? SAPS says its hands are tied.”
The possibility of summoning Rhoode received a favourable response from committee chairperson Ian Cameron.
He, however, cautioned that discussions would first be held with the impeachment committee to avoid overlapping processes.
“I would be very pro inviting him here but we also need to discuss it with the impeachment committee because there’s no use asking questions that will be asked there as well.”
The committee is now considering summoning Rhoode to appear before Parliament to answer questions directly.
VIDEO | A timeline of the Phala Phala saga:
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