Suspended TMPD cop says didn’t act alone on security services deployment

Suspended Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) inspector Lebogang Phiri has contradicted his bosses, saying he did not act alone when deploying private security guards.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, Phiri said his senior manager approved all the deployments that he gave the green light.

Phiri faces allegations of flouting the municipality’s procurement processes by deploying private security guards to guard municipality infrastructure without the requisite authority.

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Phiri went through a series of emails between senior managers at the municipality.

The email chain begins in November 2024, with the city’s head for bulk water services, Aser Sekgolela, urgently requesting security personnel at two pump stations.

The request was directed to the municipality’s director for asset protection services, Tshukudu Malatji.

On 6 January 2025, Malatji responds to the email, saying he has “ordered” Phiri to discuss the deployment of security to the sites.

Phiri said part of his job is to handle the deployment of security.

“I wish to categorically place on record that I derived my authority to issue instructions for ad hoc security deployments directly from director Tshukudu Malatji, and the instruction to run the process and handling of ad-hoc for water and sanitation was issued on the 9th of January.”

Malatji previously testified at the commission, saying he never delegated his authority to Phiri.