News24 | IDAC provisionally withdraws corruption case against ex-acting police commissioner

IDAC has provisionally withdrawn the case against former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara.

Storm Simpson/News24

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has provisionally withdrawn a case against former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and his co-accused, following what it says was “careful consideration” by the acting investigating director, advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara.

IDAC said Vanara would pursue certain aspects of the case before re-enrolling it.

“This matter has already been subjected to the review panel, and it was found to have been properly authorised and that it falls within the IDAC’s mandate,” its spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, added.

The accused faced charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering relating to a 2016 contract to supply emergency warning equipment for the police.

READ | NPA unit seizes former police chief's assets in R191m 'blue light' tender fraud case

It is alleged that during the procurement process, the police ignored the competitive bidding process and favoured Vimpie Manthata’s company in exchange for benefits.

The contract was valued at R191 million, but the company received R65 million. Another R22 million was stopped after investigations.

Phahlane was charged together with former deputy national commissioner for human resources management Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya; former Gauteng police commissioner Deliwe de Lange; Gauteng deputy police commissioner Nombhuruza Lettie Napo; Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena (retired divisional commissioner); retired Major General Ravichandran Pillay; Colonel Thomas Dumas Marima; and Sergeant Maetapese Joseph Mulaiwa.

The civilians charged in the case are Judy Rose, Samantha Andrews, and Manthata, the owner of Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (Pty) Ltd.

Their previous attempt to have the case struck off the roll was dismissed by the courts.