Ramaphosa deflects as declassified IPID report details Phala Phala cover-up allegations

President Cyril Ramaphosa sidestepped questions regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) findings into the conduct of his lead personal protector, who is alleged to have covered up the theft of foreign currency at his farm.

A recently declassified report by the police watchdog recommends disciplinary action against Major General Wally Rhoode, the head of the Presidential Protection Unit.

Although the report was declassified last month after previously being held as "Top Secret," it was only made public on Friday.

IPID’s investigation focused specifically on the conduct of police officers following the 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, where approximately 580,000 US dollars was stolen.

The report reveals that Ramaphosa personally informed Rhoode about the theft shortly after it occurred. However, despite the high-stakes nature of the crime, a formal case was not opened until two years later.

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The watchdog alleges that Rhoode bypassed official channels to lead an "off-the-books" operation to recover the stolen cash.

The report suggests that he utilised police resources for this unauthorised mission and failed to report the matter to the National Police Commissioner at the time.

When asked to comment on the damaging findings on Friday, Ramaphosa maintained a distance from the investigative process.

"The IPID report is what you would have read. I have nothing to do with it. It’s part of the process, and as I’ve always said, processes must play themselves out."

While IPID has recommended accountability for the Major General, the final outcome remains contested.

In September last year, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia informed Parliament that Rhoode had since been cleared of the allegations.