Deputy National Commissioner Tebello Mosikili testified before the Ad Hoc Committee on Tuesday.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili has shared her experience regarding an ongoing investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) after she reported a theft almost two years ago.
Mosikili’s testimony on the IPID was in response to evidence by one of her colleagues before the Ad Hoc Committee that she was facing a serious investigation by the police watchdog body.
During her testimony, she detailed how her ordeal escalated from being the victim of a theft to facing online allegations linking her to criminal activity.
She said she had opened a case of theft after her cellphone was stolen in what she claimed involved a criminal syndicate at a Makro store in Centurion.
A story surfaced on social media claiming that nothing was stolen from her because she was involved in a syndicate.
“Subsequent to that, the requests were sent to every investigative body in the country. All the media houses received such,” she said.
According to Mosikili, the theft case was initially assigned to the Gauteng provincial investigative unit, the Organised Crime Team, for proper investigation.
However, after a year, IPID allegedly informed her that she was under investigation for perjury.
Mosikili expressed her shock at these developments.
“It made my jaw drop that perjury could have happened because I'm still waiting for my day in court.”
Mosikili recounted how she had been presented with three affidavits from IPID without clear indications of any contradictions in her statements that would warrant perjury allegations.
“I have never submitted three statements in my docket, but they presented three statements. I confirmed that I have knowledge of the three; two of the statements.”
According to her, one of the affidavits was meant for the loss management control for SAPS.
The two others were deposed immediately after the incident at the police station and also clarified issues at the request of the investigators.
Mosikili pointed out that two of the statements were the same and the difference was that one was typed and the other handwritten.
“The officials never showed me that these are the areas of contradiction. I had to figure out myself,” she said.
Mosikili said she did not know the status of the IPID investigation.
“Till today, I don't know where I would have contradicted or prejudiced myself. I don't know because all statements were commissioned,” added Mosikili.
Evidence leader Advocate Maria Mokhoaetsi said they heard evidence from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo that SAPS officers were targeted by organisations such as IDAC and IPID.
“Do you think that this was one of that you were a target, or do you think the charges raised against you were well-founded?” Mokhoaetsi asked.
In response, Mosikili said she was tempted to reserve her comment.
“I will say I would not know, however, with the social media posts that I became aware of and that were sent to me directly by social media activist Miss Mashale. The last post that she sent to me or that I came across will not be far from that insinuation that you are coming up with,” she said.
When asked by MP Sibonelo Nomvalo if the charges against her reflected unethical actions by IPID, Mosikili emphasised that nobody had identified any contradictions in her affidavits
“I sat with the statements to find out what the things are that are attributed to the contradictions. I was not told of the contradictions,” she said.
On Wednesday, Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls said there were material differences in Mosikili’s affidavits.
“On one statement, she says her belongings were stolen inside Makro and in the other, she says in the car,” Sauls said.
MK Party MP David Skosana they could not discuss the matter when they had the opportunity when Mosikili gave evidence on Tuesday.
“Let us focus on witnesses that are before us,” said Skosana.
Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said Sauls was bringing the matter to their attention than discuss.
“Lets allow him to conclude his point,” he said.
Lekganyane said Sauls should make a written submission and it will be sent to Mosikili for a response to be considered during the deliberations.