Cops Accused of Removing Files and Wiping Phone at Lt-Gen Mfazi Murder Scene
- Major-General Mulangi Mphego and Sergeant Ishmail Phungu allegedly seized sensitive documents from Lt-Gen Mfazi's home after his death
- Mfazi died in July 2021 and was initially believed to have succumbed to Covid-19 before toxicology reports revealed he was poisoned
- Mphego has flatly denied the accusations, calling the claims fabrications and distancing himself from any Phala Phala-linked investigation
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SOUTH AFRICA — Two serving police officers stand accused of removing classified investigative files and destroying digital evidence from the Pretoria home of the late Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sindile "Pitso" Mfazi, who was murdered by poisoning in July 2021.
Former police crime intelligence head Major-General Mulangi Mphego and Sergeant Ishmail Phungu allegedly visited Mfazi's residence shortly after his death and took possession of sensitive documents bearing SAPS, Public Protector and NPA letterheads. A sworn affidavit by a former associate of Mfazi forms the basis of the allegations.
Mfazi's death and the secret inquiry
When Mfazi died in July 2021, his death was attributed to Covid-19 complications. Subsequent toxicology tests and an exhumation report overturned that finding, confirming he had been deliberately poisoned. Investigators later established that, prior to his death, Mfazi had been quietly looking into whether state resources and crime intelligence funds had been unlawfully channelled towards an unofficial covert operation monitoring the perpetrators behind the 2020 Phala Phala farm robbery.
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Allegations of evidence tampering
According to the affidavit, the removal of documents from Mfazi's home did not follow any official protocol. There was no chain of custody record, no SAPS-13 property receipt, and no pocketbook log entry to account for what was taken. In addition to the physical files, the two officers are accused of ordering that Mfazi's cellphone be wiped, allegedly to suppress digital evidence connected to his investigation.
The SAPS Cold Case Unit has since conducted search and raid operations at properties linked to both accused officers as part of the active homicide investigation into Mfazi's death.
Mphego denies all allegations
Mphego has rejected every aspect of the accusations. He denied entering Mfazi's home, denied any involvement in clearing the cellphone, and denied removing files related to the Phala Phala matter. He described the claims as "absolute fabrications" and stated he had no knowledge that Mfazi was conducting any inquiry into the farm scandal. Mphego further stated that he holds no brief for President Cyril Ramaphosa or anyone connected to that case.
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- Meanwhile, the Acting National Police Commissioner urged Reiger Park residents not to shield those responsible for killing two Anti-Gang Unit members in the area.
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Source: Briefly News
