DA, ActionSA want answers on SAPS Crime Intelligence's purchase of R23m Pretoria boutique hotel

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA are demanding answers about the purchase of a R23 million Pretoria boutique hotel by police Crime Intelligence.

News24 blew the lid on the purchase this week by the directorate, which is notorious for dodgy dealings with its secret funds.

DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said the purchase was not disclosed to Parliament.

When police Crime Intelligence briefed Parliament's police committee about its property portfolio in November, no mention was made of the boutique hotel purchase, which is said to have been made a month earlier.

Kohler Barnard said it appeared that the purchase was made without approaching the Department of Public Works first to inquire about vacant state property that could be used as office space.

She's written to the Inspector-General for Intelligence, Imtiaz Fazel, to investigate.

"Who decided on a luxury hotel reportedly complete with four dining rooms, a gym and an infinity pool when senior Crime Intelligence officers work from dilapidated offices, replete with broken furniture, or work from their cars due to lack of office space."

Meanwhile, ActionSA MP Dereleen James said her party had approached the Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) to probe the same matter.

She said while the operational purpose of the purchase was unclear, there were potentially corrupt motives behind the acquisition.