Pretoria:The High Court of South Africa's Gauteng Division has postponed the trial of former Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and his co-accused, rescheduling it for Thursday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the trial was delayed due to the State withdrawing charges against a company that ceased to exist. This decision was made after the new prosecution team discovered the entity's dissolution. However, the director of the company continues to be charged in a personal capacity.
Lieutenant-General Phahlane, along with Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey Mahwayi, Major-General Maanda Obert Nemutandzhela, Major-General Mankosana Agnes Makhele, and businessmen Inbanathan Kistiah and Avendra Naidoo, face charges of fraud, corruption, theft, and violation of the Public Finance Management Act. These charges are linked to two contracts with a total value of approximately R54 million.
One of the contracts relates to the alleged irregular procurement of software known as RIPJAR, which was intended for use during the October 2015 #FeesMustFall protests by university students.
One of the contracts under scrutiny involves the procurement of Daedalus, a communication-encryption software allegedly used to encrypt calls and erase cellphone records and messages. This occurred during a period when Phahlane was under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate concerning the “Blue Lights” police tender and other alleged procurement irregularities during his tenure.
