Khomotso Phahlane corruption trial delayed until November 9
Former acting police commissioner faces R54 million fraud and corruption charges linked to software procurement.
The R54 million fraud and corruption trial of former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has been postponed to November 9, 2026. The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, delayed the proceedings to allow accused individuals to vote in the local government elections. Phahlane and five others face charges including fraud, corruption, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame stated the postponement enables some accused residing outside Gauteng to cast their votes. The charges stem from two alleged irregular procurements: RIPJAR software for the #FeesMustFall protests and Daedalus communication-encryption software. The Daedalus software was reportedly used to encrypt calls and delete records while Phahlane was under investigation for other matters.
Phahlane is also involved in a separate R191 million police tender case for emergency warning equipment, where IDAC provisionally withdrew charges. In that matter, approximately R65 million was paid to the tender winner, with investigators preventing a further R22 million payment. The Pretoria High Court will hear both cases on November 9.