THREE police officers involved in a legal battle with former acting police commissioner and divisional head of forensic sciences Khomotso Phahlane, on Wednesday claimed that they were ignored for their efforts to report glaring acts of criminality within the SAPS.

Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee, Colonel Darius Ramolobe, Captain Edwin Malatjie and Captain Samuel Ramalepe said they had been reporting theft of drugs, irregular appointments, irregular procurement and corruption or maladministration.

“Our efforts were ignored or not supported. As a result we suffered occupational detriment, physical and psychological harm. This is the price we pay for reporting crimes committed by police officers,” said Ramalepe.

He was giving testimony while being led by evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse before the inquiry probing allegations that were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

They told the MPs that their problems started in 2010 when Popcru submitted a memorandum to the management of the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) with a list of grievances to express frustration on inaction around issues.

Ramalepe said they were instead arrested and detained at Sunnyside police station.

“We were released on bail and the case was withdrawn without any explanation,” he said.

A meeting was subsequently held with Khomotso Phahlane, who was the divisional commissioner, in November 2011 and a subsequent meeting with other senior managers two months later.

The complaint was escalated to then acting national commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who had shown appetite in tackling the matter but was removed from office.

Ramalepe also said when former national commissioner Riah Phiyega was at the helm, she appointed an independent forensic firm, CPN Forensic, in 2013.

It was around this time that Phahlane apparently instituted a defamation case against the Popcru members after accusing them of ill-discipline after they issued a press statement.

Ramalepe said they were not happy that Phahlane was suing them and at the time they had a problem with Popcru when they had asked for the intervention with the then minister.

“The case as far as we know is not concluded,” he said referring to the appeal they lodged after Phahlane was awarded damages.

He stated that after CPN conducted its investigation, Phiyega shared with them only the findings and recommendations in 2014.

Ramalepe said Phiyega had instructed a certain ‘Nkuwa’ to implement the recommendations and also undertook to instruct Phahlane to withdraw the defamation case.

However, Phiyega was suspended before the recommendations were implemented. “Till today, nothing happened.”

While the report apparently made no findings against Phahlane, it had called for further investigations into some matters at FSL.

Ramalepe told the committee of attempts last year to discuss criminal activities at FSL with Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

The MPs heard that the officers were awaiting a report after National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola instituted another investigation last October.

“That is our plea to the committee, to get that report,” said Malatje.

Ramapele said matters arising from the CPN report were submitted to the Public Service Commission, SARS and IPID, but there was no apparent response.

 “We did everything in our power but never got any assistance,” he said.

He told the committee that they have requested Masemola to assist in the finalisation of the legal matter with Phahlane.

Ramolobe said the Ad Committee was their last hope.

“We have been to different platforms without any assistance. What we get is victimisation and as a result we are really suffering from depression due to work-related issues, because we are reporting theft of drugs in the laboratory.

“This has been for a very long period of time. We have been raising this issue, following internal processes,” said Ramolobe.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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