New allegations have put acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane at the centre of a 2010 crime intelligence appointments scandal that saw the recruitment of several members of ex-intelligence boss Richard Mdluli\u2019s family as covert agents.<\/p>\n
A source with clear access to the internal workings of the South African Police Service has claimed that Phahlane was closely involved in a covert 250-post appointment process conducted in crime intelligence in 2009 and 2010.<\/p>\n
The source alleges that Phahlane, Mdluli and former crime intelligence chief financial officer Solly Lazarus \u201cdesigned the scheme\u201d together in November 2009.<\/p>\n
Mdluli\u2019s ex-wife, his daughter, his son and his then-girlfriend \u2013 now his wife \u2013 were all appointed during the covert post process, and both Mdluli\u2019s ex and current wife were promoted to the rank of colonel about\u00a0 two months later, in March 2010.<\/a><\/p>\n Phahlane, a divisional commissioner and the head of police personnel services at the time, is alleged to have been responsible for approving and signing off their appointments.<\/p>\n “Baseless and manufactured allegations”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said this week in response to the allegations: \u201cThe SAPS is not a one-man show wherein one individual is responsible for the appointment and promotion of people. Lieutenant General Phahlane did not and still does not employ or promote people. \u201cWe are well aware that all these baseless and manufactured allegations are aimed at frustrating the leadership of the SAPS, as well as unsettling the newly appointed acting national commissioner.\u201d<\/p>\n Read:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Phahlane was\u00a0 installed as acting commissioner immediately<\/a> after President Jacob Zuma announced the suspension of Riah Phiyega last week, pending an inquiry into her fitness to hold office.<\/p>\n The allegations of his alliance with Mdluli fly in the face of Phahlane\u2019s swift moves in the wake of his appointment to portray himself as a reliable career police official who has paid his dues.<\/p>\n Several colleagues have also publicly insisted that he was not aligned with any internal police faction.<\/p>\n The 250 posts have formed part of a wider Hawks investigation of crime intelligence that began in 2010. The factional battles in the division have had a ripple effect in the police, spreading to the Hawks, the detective units and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).<\/p>\n Both Mdluli and Lazarus were suspended in 2011<\/a> in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption linked to crime intelligence\u2019s secret services account, which is meant to fund authorised covert operations.<\/p>\n Their suspensions were briefly lifted before being reinstated in 2012. Mdluli, who has avoided an internal disciplinary hearing for three years, continues to draw his monthly police salary. Sources within the police and the NPA have raised concerns about the perceived political protection he has enjoyed since\u00a0 charges of corruption were first withdrawn against him in 2011.<\/a><\/p>\n Police and crime intelligence sources have also alleged that 15 of the 250 posts were awarded to people with criminal records.<\/p>\n They claim that among them is Mdluli\u2019s prot\u00e9g\u00e9 and now one of crime intelligence\u2019s most senior officers, Nkosana \u201cKiller\u201d Ximba.<\/p>\n Still under investigation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Ximba was found guilty in 1999 of reckless and negligent driving and sentenced to R3\u00a0000 or three months\u2019 imprisonment. In 2005 he resigned from the police.<\/p>\n The source alleges that in September 2007 Phahlane supported Ximba\u2019s re-enlistment, against the express recommendation of senior Gauteng police management, who objected to the fact that Ximba had a criminal record.<\/p>\n In 2010, when he was to be appointed to the rank of colonel, Ximba allegedly completed an application form under oath in which he did not mention his previous conviction. Based on this, a case of fraud and\u00a0perjury was opened against him. The case is still under investigation.<\/p>\n Allegations have previously surfaced that, shortly after Mdluli was appointed crime intelligence head in July 2009, he rapidly promoted Ximba from constable to colonel.<\/p>\n However, amaBhungane\u2019s source suggested Ximba\u2019s meteoric rise was equally thanks to Phahlane.<\/p>\n\n