Cachalia Signals Possible Declassification Of Top Secret IPID Report On Phala Phala

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has suggested that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) may reconsider the “Top Secret” classification of its report into the conduct of members of the Presidential Protection Unit during the investigation into the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

The indication came in response to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Mazwi Blose, who pressed for clarity on when the long-awaited report would be made available to the public. Cachalia confirmed that IPID was actively reflecting on whether the classification status should be revised.

“This is in view of the need to balance the individual rights as alluded to above with the public interest to access information,” Cachalia said.

IPID report classification and parliamentary scrutiny

Blose’s questions followed earlier statements by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who confirmed earlier this year that the IPID report had been referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in October 2023 for the implementation of recommendations.

Mchunu explained at the time that the document’s classification under the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) prevented its release until formal declassification procedures were completed.

“Until it is accordingly declassified, it would not be released for public consumption,” Mchunu said in February.

Cachalia defended the decision to keep the report classified, stressing the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation and to protect witnesses and SAPS members who may be implicated before they have their day in court.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Free State Judge Loses Supreme Court Of Appeal Bid To Halt Prosecution In RAF Theft Case

He pointed to constitutional provisions that uphold the presumption of innocence and guard against individuals being subjected to public judgment ahead of legal proceedings.

“It further states that every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” he said.

He added that publicly identifying suspects before they appear in court could amount to a trial by media, potentially compromising judicial impartiality and causing lasting reputational harm, even in cases where individuals are later acquitted.

“Moreover, IPID was aware of the fact that the Directorate of Priority Crime Inspectorate is investigating the criminal aspect of this matter, and it is inevitable that information contained in the IPID Report will also be expressed in the DPCI case docket,” Cachalia said.

Public Protector findings and political fallout

The debate around the IPID report unfolds against a tense political backdrop. In June 2023, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka released a report examining the actions of the Presidential Protection Unit following the Phala Phala burglary.

Her findings concluded that the unit’s head, Wally Rhoode, acted beyond his authority when he became involved in investigating the incident reported by Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa had reported the burglary directly to Rhoode, who allegedly conducted an investigation. Gcaleka rejected Rhoode’s explanation that his actions constituted a threat analysis and found that he did not have the authority to conduct an off-the-books probe.

As part of her remedial action, Gcaleka instructed then police minister Bheki Cele to take note of findings of maladministration and improper conduct against SAPS, particularly regarding allegations that members of the Presidential Protection Services acted unlawfully by investigating the burglary at Phala Phala.

Despite these findings, SAPS later cleared Rhoode of wrongdoing following a disciplinary hearing.

ActionSA appeal and calls for transparency

Pressure for transparency has intensified, with ActionSA confirming that it has lodged a formal appeal against IPID’s refusal to unseal the report. The party had submitted an application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act seeking access to the findings.

ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont said the party was consulting its legal team about the possibility of challenging the use of MISS to justify the report’s classification. “However, we have been advised that the appeal mechanism must first be satisfied,” he said.

Beaumont described the IPID report as a critical point in efforts to hold those involved accountable. “The fact that his protection team members were involved in the investigation of the robbery at his farm, in contravention of SAPS policy and law, has been covered up to reward those who covered up for the president,” he said.

He added that South Africans were entitled to full disclosure on the Phala Phala matter, describing ActionSA’s application as a step towards ensuring the public receives clear answers.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky