ActionSA has lodged a formal challenge against the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) following its refusal to release a report concerning the conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit in relation to the Phala Phala scandal. The party contends that Ipid’s classification of the report as “Top Secret” is unlawful.
ActionSA argues that South African law and Cabinet regulations permit such strict secrecy only in exceptional circumstances, such as matters that could potentially trigger a war or jeopardize international diplomatic ties. The party’s core motivation is to ensure that the South African public has access to the complete truth surrounding the Phala Phala incident, asserting that no individual, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, should be considered above the law. They highlight a history where, they claim, politicians have often been shielded from scrutiny through the use of public funds and special privileges, leaving citizens uninformed.
The party initially requested the report in April 2025 under the Promotion of Access to Information Act. At the time, ActionSA was informed that delays were due to Ipid’s email system being non-operational, which allegedly hindered their ability to process the request. ActionSA subsequently approached Parliament to investigate the veracity of these claims and to ascertain whether Ipid was indeed prevented from carrying out its duties.
While the Public Protector has previously cleared President Ramaphosa, and the South African Reserve Bank found no evidence of illegal financial transactions, ActionSA maintains that the public still lacks crucial information regarding the Phala Phala case.
ActionSA emphasizes the significance of the Ipid report, particularly because it involves an investigation by police officers into a robbery at the President’s farm – an action they believe was outside the established rules for police conduct. They view the decision to keep the report confidential as an apparent attempt to conceal information and a direct contradiction to the principles of transparency.
The party expressed concern that the current Government of National Unity may be prioritizing the protection of its political standing over its obligation to be accountable to its citizens. Consequently, ActionSA is now pursuing legal avenues to ensure that the full details of the Phala Phala matter are disclosed and that South Africans receive the answers they are seeking.
