By Johnathan Paoli
The Ministry of Police has rejected claims that the acting minister ordered the declassification of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report into the Phala Phala probe, saying IPID acted independently and that the report will not be made public.
In a statement issued following widespread media coverage, ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi, said confusion had arisen from a written parliamentary reply provided by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia in response to a National Assembly question.
“The Ministry of Police notes the various articles circulating online and in the media regarding the declassification of the IPID report into the Phala Phala matter. This information originated from a written Parliamentary response provided by the Acting Minister,” Mogotsi said.
The spokesperson explained that parliamentary questions are submitted by MPs and referred to relevant departments for replies.
While the minister is politically responsible for the South African Police Service and its oversight entities, including IPID, each entity prepares its own responses within its legislative mandate.
“The Minister submits these responses to Parliament on their behalf,” Mogotsi said, adding that this administrative role should not be misconstrued as ministerial involvement in operational or investigative decisions.
Crucially, she emphasised IPID’s statutory independence.
“With respect to IPID, it must be emphasised that it is an independent body established in terms of the IPID Act. The Minister does not direct or interfere with IPID investigations or findings. The Minister’s role is strictly defined and limited by legislation to safeguard the Directorate’s independence,” she said.
The clarification follows Cachalia’s written reply to a parliamentary question posed by African Transformation Movement (ATM) Chief Whip Thandiswa Marawu, in which he confirmed that IPID had concluded its investigation and declassified its report on 2 February 2026.
“As indicated in the reply to question 6258 on 26 November 2025, I confirm that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has concluded the investigation regarding the breaking-in and theft at the Phala Phala farm. However, it should be noted that IPID was not investigating the main case of breaking-in and theft, but rather the conduct of the South African Police Service members who handled the case,” Cachalia wrote.
Mogotsi reiterated this distinction, noting that IPID’s probe focused solely on the conduct of SAPS members, not the underlying criminal case linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.
According to the ministry, the report was compiled by IPID after it concluded its investigation, and IPID, as the custodian of the document, determined its classification status in line with the National Strategic Intelligence Act.
Cachalia explained in his parliamentary reply that IPID had reassessed the initial “Top Secret” classification and concluded that it was no longer serving its intended purpose.
“After considering the initial reasons for the ‘Top Secret’ classification and public interest, IPID came to a decision that the classification is no longer serving the purpose,” he said.
Despite the declassification, both the ministry and Cachalia stressed that the report would not be released publicly.
“It should further be noted that IPID Investigation Reports are not for public consumption and as such will only be accessible through proper legal processes,” Cachalia said.
He was unequivocal when asked about timelines for publication.
“There are no timelines. IPID Investigation Reports are inherently not published for public consumption, and as such, there is no intention to release or publish the report publicly,” he said.
The ministry echoed this position, stating that IPID reports may only be accessed through appropriate legal channels and remain subject to applicable restrictions.
Any person seeking access would need to apply in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
Cachalia also rejected suggestions that the report’s release had been deliberately delayed.
“There is no delay in releasing the Investigation Report hence it has been declassified,” he said.
He added that should access be granted through legal processes, all personal and sensitive information relating to witnesses or alleged suspects would be redacted, with annexures containing raw evidence or personal identifiers remaining restricted under the Minimum Information Security Standards.
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