Ousted Phahlane mounts comeback after legal victory

Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, whose career was derailed by corruption allegations, is mounting a dramatic comeback, emboldened by a recent court victory and sensational claims of a political plot to block his promotion.

- By Setumo Stone

Once the most senior officer in the SAPS, he has launched an aggressive legal offensive following a scathing appellate court judgment that dismissed an appeal by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) against him in a defamation dispute, which will cost the union R350000 plus interest.

His attorneys have dispatched a fiery letter, seen by Sunday World, demanding immediate payment and a public apology from a police union and its officials for what he claims were defamatory statements that poisoned his career prospects.

The letter, dated November 20, gives Popcru and several of its officials seven days to pay the damages claimed and to hold a press conference retracting allegations made in its 2012 press release.

“Should payment not be forthcoming, we hold instructions to execute a warrant of execution,” the letter from BDK Attorneys states, warning that the sheriff of the court will be instructed to “attach any and/or all of your movable, alternatively, immovable property” to be sold at public auction. Failure to publish the apology would result in contempt of court proceedings.”