By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

4 November 2026 – The fraud and corruption trial involving former acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane and five co-accused has been postponed to 9 November 2026, by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria. The postponement was necessitated by the ongoing Local Government Elections, allowing the electoral process to be concluded and giving some of the accused, who reside outside Gauteng, an opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Phahlane, 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 contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Mamothame said charges relate to two contracts valued at approximately R54 million, which allegedly involved irregular procurement processes within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“One of the contracts concerns the alleged irregular procurement of software known as RIPJAR, which was intended for use during the October 2015 #FeesMustFall student protests at universities.

“The second contract relates to the alleged irregular procurement of communication-encryption software known as Daedalus,” he said.

Mamothame further said software was allegedly used to encrypt telephone calls and erase cellphone records and messages at a time when Phahlane was under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). He added that the investigation involved the controversial police blue-light tender and other alleged procurement irregularities during his tenure as acting National Police Commissioner.

“The trial is expected to commence on 9 November 2026,” said Mamothame.

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