Pretoria – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has recommended disciplinary action against senior members of the South African Police Service following an investigation into allegations linked to the Phala Phala farm theft incident.
According to a detailed IPID report, Major General WP Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Unit, and Constable HH Rekhoto are accused of multiple breaches of SAPS regulations, including conducting an unlawful investigation into the theft of cash at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in February 2020.
The report, classified as a “negative recommendation”, alleges that the officers operated outside formal SAPS procedures, failed to open a criminal case docket, and instead carried out a parallel investigation using state resources.
Among the findings, IPID states that the officials allegedly interrogated suspects without properly informing them of their constitutional rights, misrepresented the purpose of official travel to Cape Town during the COVID-19 lockdown period, and used state-funded logistics for what was described as an unauthorised probe.
“The Phala Phala Report makes serious findings against members of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU).
Yet, PPU Head Major General Wally Rhoode remains in his position without having been held accountable for clear wrongdoing.” – @ME_Beaumonthttps://t.co/FUCguYBW7g
— ActionSA (@Action4SA) April 10, 2026
The report further claims that the officers involved failed to escalate the matter through the proper SAPS chain of command and instead handled it internally without informing senior leadership at the time.
IPID also raises concerns over alleged irregular expenditure, including travel arrangements and the use of additional personnel for operational duties that, according to the report, could have been handled within existing local structures.
The investigation further references meetings and travel involving senior officials and other individuals in Upington and neighbouring areas, which IPID says may point to improper use of SAPS resources and possible procedural violations.
IPID has recommended that disciplinary steps be taken against both officers in terms of SAPS disciplinary regulations, citing alleged misconduct, negligence, falsification of records, and conduct that may have brought the police service into disrepute.
The directorate has requested confirmation of whether disciplinary proceedings have been instituted and their outcome.
The SAPS has not yet publicly responded to the latest findings at the time of publication.
