Acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has filed legal papers in the Pretoria High Court to ensure the legality of an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

Phahalane’s spokesman‚ Brigadier Sally De Beer confirmed that papers had been filed in the high court.

She declined to comment further as “it’s a matter before court“.

The directorate has said it will oppose the legal challenge.

 Part of the application is to get an interdict to stop the IPID from using private forensic investigator‚ Paul O’Sullivan to assist them in their investigation into Phahlane.

Directorate spokesman‚ Moses Dlamini said while they had yet to receive the papers‚ the directorate would oppose them.

“We will definitely defend against this legal application‚” he said.

The filing of the papers follows a lengthy battle between Phahlane and the directorate who are investigating allegations of corruption against the commissioner.

The directorate has been conducting a lifestyle audit on Phahlane‚ which involved them querying how he purchased an R80 000 sound system.

They are also looking into how he as able to afford a fleet of luxury cars. Phahlane has previously said the allegations of corruption are baseless.