'I'm guinea pig of step-aside'

REMOVAL: FORMER ACTING POLICE COMMISSIONER TESTIFIES BEFORE AD HOC COMMITTEE >>> An agenda to push me out, says axed Phahlane.

- Molefe Seeletsa

FIRED. Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. Picture: Gallo Images

(Gallo Images)

Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has told parliament that his dismissal was irrational and unlawful, alleging that there was a deliberate agenda to push him out of the South African Police Service (Saps).

Phahlane appeared yesterday before parliament's ad hoc committee probing criminality, political interference and corruption in the justice system.

His testimony focused on his suspension and removal from office.

As evidence leader Norman Arendse outlined Phahlane's qualifications and career yesterday, Phahlane rejected any suggestion that his appointment to senior Saps management was questionable.

He told the committee he had steadily risen through the ranks over many years, saying he was not a “flyby-night” cop.

Phahlane said he was promoted to senior management in 2001 and attained the rank of lieutenant-general in 2007.

“I did not ascend to that level only when I became appointed as acting national commissioner,” the former police boss said.

Phahlane served as acting national police commissioner from October 2015 until June 2017, when he was asked to step aside.

He said the request came on 1 June 2017, followed by a formal suspension seven days later.

“I was a guinea pig of the step-aside policy because it was first applied on me for whatever reasons,” he told the committee.