×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Senior cop calls for probe into Phahlane

A senior cop is prepared to sacrifice his career to force acting police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane to appear before parliament to account for some of his past activities in the SAPS.

Colonel Sandragasen Moonsamy from the criminal record centre in East London wants Phahlane, pictured, to appear before the police portfolio committee for alleged irregular expenditure and appointments he made when he was head of the SAPS forensic division.

The drive to have Phahlane hauled before parliament comes at a time when the top cop is busy restructuring the management of the SAPS in what has been perceived as an exercise to remove officers aligned to suspended national commissioner Riah Phiyega.

Yesterday Phahlane announced changes that included the controversial appointment of Lieutenant-General Mondli Zuma, one of the figures involved in the expenditure on President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla home.

In August 2013, Phiyega hurriedly removed Zuma hours into his post as Gauteng commissioner after it emerged that he had an undeclared criminal charge. But the controversy over Zuma's latest appointment as Mpumalanga commissioner is not the only hot potato that Phahlane has to deal with.

Sowetan is in possession of documents and e-mails in which Moonsamy wants Phahlane to be taken to task. In an e-mail sent to the police portfolio committee in December, Moonsamy accused Phahlane of appointing people who were not qualified in forensics, which was crucial in police work to secure convictions.

Moonsamy also alleged that there were irregularities in the millions spent to improve forensics. He said chemicals worth millions of rands were dumped at police stations, thus ending up expiring.

"I am requesting a comprehensive investigation into the allegation that I'm making against the acting national commissioner. If what I am saying is untrue then I am willing to put my career of almost 30 years to an end," he said in an e-mail to Nicolette van Zyl-Gous, a researcher on the committee.

Van Zyl-Gous referred questions to committee chairman Francois Beukman, who confirmed receiving Moonsamy's complaint. Beukman said they would assess the complaint and get back to Moonsamy.

When contacted, Moonsamy said he was ready to testify against Phahlane. "I just want justice to be done. He must be accountable; I want him charged," he said.

Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi could also not be reached for comment.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.