Phala Phala scandal deepens as IPID exposes parallel police investigation

A newly released report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has found that members of the Presidential Protection Service ran an ‘unlawful’ parallel investigation into the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

The report, completed in 2023 but only recently made public, details how hundreds of thousands of US dollars were stolen during the break-in, yet no formal criminal case was opened at the time.

Instead, senior officers allegedly used state resources to track suspects across provinces and beyond South Africa’s borders, outside official police channels.

Parallel probe ‘off the books’

IPID’s national head of investigations, Thuso Keefelakae, said the watchdog focused on police conduct rather than the underlying crime.

“Our investigation… found that there were some transgressions,” Keefelakae said.

According to the report, officers linked to the Presidential Protection Service:

— Failed to open a formal case or inquiry

— Conducted investigations without case numbers or official authorisation

— Used state resources despite operating outside legal processes

This amounted to what IPID describes as an ‘off-the-books’ investigation.

Why was the report classified?

The report was initially kept secret due to ongoing investigations by the Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

Keefelakae said IPID also wanted to protect whistleblowers and witnesses.

“The harm could be that you share information prematurely… [and] put informants’ lives in jeopardy,” he said.

The report was declassified only in February 2026, after authorities determined it was safe to release.

Key question: What did Ramaphosa know?

Despite detailing alleged misconduct by senior officers, the report does not establish what the president knew about the parallel investigation.

Keefelakae said that the question fell outside IPID’s mandate.

“Our investigation was not about whether he had informed the president or not,” he said.

Instead, IPID focused on whether officers followed legal procedures, concluding they did not.

No case was opened despite the alleged crime

One of the report’s most striking findings is that police failed to open a case after being informed of the theft.

“That’s the finding by IPID,” Keefelakae confirmed.

Under standard procedure, officers are required to register a case when aware of a potential crime, a step that was not taken in this instance.

Political and legal pressure grows

The report’s release follows years of legal battles, with media houses, political parties and civil society groups using access-to-information laws to obtain it.

Its findings are likely to intensify scrutiny on the presidency and law enforcement, particularly around:

— Alleged misuse of state resources

— Failure to follow basic policing procedures

— Possible attempts to keep the matter out of official channels

The controversy continues as the Constitutional Court of South Africa is expected to rule on related matters.

Related: Phala Phala fallout intensifies

Recent reporting shows mounting political pressure following the release of the IPID report.

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

— ATM awaits response after request to impeach Ramaphosa

— IPID recommends disciplinary action against one of Ramaphosa’s senior protectors

For more detailed information, listen to Keefelakae on 702 using the audio player below: