EMPD ‘had enough evidence’ but failed to act, IPID’s Magagula tells Madlanga Commission

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) assistant director, Thulani Magagula, said the EMPD had enough evidence to launch its own internal investigation and disciplinary action against officers implicated in the Putfontein case but the matter remained pending.

The case centres on the alleged theft of a truck and its cargo in February 2023. The load was valued at more than R1 million.

Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Friday, Magagula said two EMPD officers, Adrian McKenzie and Kasher Lee-Stols, along with private security official Etienne van der Walt, were implicated.

IPID completed its investigation and referred the matter. Magagula testified that EMPD management had sufficient material to act independently against its members.

They did not.

“The investigation is still ongoing, but it has stalled,” he told commissioners probing corruption and misconduct within the criminal justice system.

The delay, he said, has been compounded by fear.

“The question would be, ‘Magagula, you know the police will kill me, and I don’t want to be in that position,’” he recounted.

“So I’m trying to show him that there is witness protection and all those types of resources.”

The commission’s interim report has already found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against the two officers and others involved.

Yet three years after the alleged theft, no internal disciplinary process has been finalised.

According to Magagula, IPID did its job, EMPD had the evidence.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics