Calls for accountability over the Phala Phala farm investigation have intensified after multiple political parties demanded the release and parliamentary scrutiny of a report compiled by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm.
The African Transformation Movement has formally written to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, requesting that IPID be summoned to account for its findings and conduct during the investigation. In a letter addressed to committee chairperson Ian Cameron, ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said the party’s request follows prolonged engagement with IPID and growing concern over transparency.
“I write on behalf of the African Transformation Movement to formally request the intervention of the Portfolio Committee on Police in respect of the investigation conducted by IPID into the burglary and theft that occurred at the Phala Phala Farm in February 2020,” Zungula stated.
He said the request arises from “serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and parliamentary oversight in a matter of significant public interest involving the South African Police Service and senior state officials.”
According to the ATM, it initially lodged a complaint in June 2022 alleging a police cover-up linked to the burglary. The complaint referenced confirmation by Ramaphosa that the theft had occurred, as well as allegations involving senior members of the South African Police Service.
Zungula detailed frustrations with the process, stating that after IPID requested sworn statements and undertook to provide updates, “these undertakings were never honoured.”
He added that a lack of feedback undermined confidence in the investigation, saying the prolonged silence “undermines public confidence.”
The ATM further raised concerns about access to the report, stating that a formal request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act was “either refused or ignored, despite the matter having been finalised.”
The party said developments between 2024 and 2025 indicated that the report had been declassified, but not shared. Zungula highlighted what he described as a key admission from IPID leadership.
“Seven out of the eleven complaints formally submitted by the ATM were found to be qualified, substantiated, and to have indeed occurred,” he said.
He added that IPID has not disclosed which allegations were upheld or what action followed. “To date, IPID has failed to disclose which specific allegations were upheld, which officials were implicated, and what remedial or disciplinary actions were recommended.”
The ATM has called on Parliament to summon IPID and ensure the report is presented in full. Zungula said, “This matter cannot be allowed to lapse through administrative closure. It requires robust parliamentary scrutiny.”
The issue has also drawn a strong response from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, which has questioned delays in releasing the report despite its declassification.
Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the delay sends the wrong message to citizens.
“For millions of South Africans who live with the reality that the law is applied swiftly and harshly to them, the slow undertaking of accountability sends a painful and dangerous message,” Ndhlela said.
He added, “There is one rule of law for the politically elite and another for ordinary citizens.”
The party said it would seek to compel access to the report, stating, “We will be urgently submitting a PAIA application to compel the release of the full declassified report.”
In a separate letter, MK Party Chief Whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi wrote to acting police minister Firoz Cachalia requesting the immediate release of the report.
“The declassification of this report removes the legal basis that previously prevented its disclosure,” she said.
She warned that continued delays raise concerns about transparency, adding, “The continued withholding of the report, despite its declassified status, creates an unnecessary perception that information is being deliberately withheld.”
Mokoena Zondi called for urgent action, stating, “I hereby formally request the immediate release of the full declassified Phala Phala report to Parliament and to the public.”
The Ministry of Police confirmed in a statement that the report was declassified on 2 February 2026. Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi said IPID operates independently.
“The Minister does not direct or interfere with IPID investigations or findings,” Mogotsi said.
He added that IPID reports are restricted. “IPID reports are not intended for public release and may only be accessed through the appropriate legal channels, subject to applicable restrictions.”
Meanwhile, ActionSA said the declassification followed sustained pressure. Party chairperson Michael Beaumont said, “ActionSA’s fight against IPID’s decision to classify their Phala Phala report has finally been won.”
He said delays in accessing the report had been significant. “Our efforts to obtain this report experienced bizarre delays, including requests for extensions and the rejection of our first PAIA application.”
Beaumont added that further steps are underway. “ActionSA has issued papers to IPID today to ensure this happens immediately.”
He also raised concerns about possible redactions, saying, “One can only wonder how much valuable information will be concealed under the mountain of inevitable redactions.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters has also maintained pressure for the release of the report, staging marches to the Constitutional Court over several months.
The Phala Phala matter remains under scrutiny, with political parties now pushing for access to the report and parliamentary oversight into IPID’s findings and the conduct of police officials involved in the case.
