The Police Committee wants to hear from Major General Wally Rhoode over the Phala Phala burglary investigation but will first engage Parliament's Impeachment Committee to avoid duplication.
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The Portfolio Committee on Police has raised concerns over the outcome of the South African Police Service's (SAPS) internal disciplinary process into the handling of the Phala Phala burglary, saying the fact that Major General Wally Rhoode was never held accountable risks undermining public trust in the police.
The concerns emerged during a follow-up meeting between the committee, SAPS, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on the handling of the Phala Phala investigation, IPID's findings, and the subsequent internal disciplinary proceedings.
The committee said it was concerned about the rationale behind the "not guilty" outcome of the SAPS disciplinary process, noting that the divergence between IPID's findings and the SAPS internal process appeared difficult to reconcile.
Some members were of the view that the disciplinary outcome had created a perception of a cover-up.
The concern is premised on the fact that police protocols require Rhoode, the Head of the Presidential Protection Unit, to report such an incident to his immediate superior, yet accountability for this aspect appeared absent.
Members also raised concerns that SAPS may have rushed to close the matter without adequately engaging Rhoode's superior to clarify the approval of travel arrangements and determine whether he had been authorised to conduct his own investigation into the matter.
Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said accountability must be applied uniformly across the police service.
"The fact that Major General Rhoode was never held accountable is both unacceptable and carries the potential risk of undermining public trust in the SAPS.
''Accountability cannot be selective, particularly when senior officers are involved," Cameron said.
He said the committee believed the integrity of SAPS depended on the consistent application of disciplinary standards and transparent accountability processes.
Meanwhile, the committee resolved that it needs to engage Parliament's Impeachment Committee to avoid duplicating oversight work relating to SAPS's handling of the burglary at Phala Phala and the subsequent investigation conducted by Rhoode.
"It is important to engage the Impeachment Committee to prevent any duplication of work, as this matter forms a critical part of that committee's work," Cameron said.
"The committee highlighted its wish to invite Major General Rhoode to appear before it, but first requires that bilateral engagement to avoid duplication."
Cameron said the committee would make a determination on the way forward following its engagement with the Impeachment Committee.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all outstanding questions relating to the matter are fully ventilated through the appropriate parliamentary oversight mechanisms.
It said it would continue pursuing the matter and engaging all relevant stakeholders to strengthen public confidence in policing institutions and ensure accountability is upheld without fear or favour.
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