Phala Phala Scandal Deepens As IPID Report Reveals Unlawful Parallel Police Probe

A newly declassified report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has revealed that members of the Presidential Protection Service conducted an unlawful parallel investigation into the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

The report, finalised in 2023 but only made public in February 2026, outlines how hundreds of thousands of US dollars were stolen during the break-in. Despite the seriousness of the incident, no formal criminal case was opened at the time.

Instead, senior police officers allegedly pursued suspects using state resources across multiple provinces and even beyond South Africa’s borders, bypassing official investigative channels.

Unlawful ‘Off-The-Books’ Police Investigation Exposed

IPID’s national head of investigations, Thuso Keefelakae, confirmed that the watchdog’s probe centred on police conduct rather than the burglary itself.

“Our investigation… found that there were some transgressions,” Keefelakae said.

According to the report, officers associated with the Presidential Protection Service failed to open a formal case or inquiry, conducted investigations without case numbers or official authorisation, and used state resources while operating outside legal frameworks

IPID concluded that these actions amounted to an “off-the-books” investigation conducted outside established policing procedures.

Why The IPID Phala Phala Report Was Initially Kept Secret

The report remained classified for several years due to parallel investigations by the Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

Keefelakae explained that confidentiality was also necessary to safeguard individuals involved in the matter.

“The harm could be that you share information prematurely… [and] put informants’ lives in jeopardy,” he said.

Authorities only declassified the report in February 2026 after determining that its release would no longer compromise ongoing investigations or endanger sources.

Questions Remain Over Presidential Knowledge

While the report details alleged misconduct by senior officers, it does not establish whether President Ramaphosa was aware of the parallel investigation.

Keefelakae stated that this issue fell outside IPID’s scope.

“Our investigation was not about whether he had informed the president or not,” he said.

The watchdog instead focused strictly on whether law enforcement officials adhered to legal protocols, concluding that they had not.

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One of the most significant findings is that police did not register a criminal case after learning of the theft.

“That’s the finding by IPID,” Keefelakae confirmed.

Under standard procedure, law enforcement officers are required to open a case when a potential crime is reported—something that did not happen in this instance.

Mounting Political And Legal Pressure After Report Release

The report’s publication follows prolonged legal efforts by media organisations, political parties and civil society groups seeking access through transparency laws.

Its findings are expected to intensify scrutiny on both the presidency and law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding the alleged misuse of state resources, failure to follow basic policing procedures, and possible efforts to keep the matter outside official channels

The controversy continues as the Constitutional Court is anticipated to rule on related legal challenges, with political pressure steadily building in the wake of the report’s release.