Massive R191 Million SAPS ‘Blue Lights’ Corruption Case Withdrawn
In a stunning legal development, the long-running 2018 “blue lights” fraud and corruption case involving high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) officials and a prominent businessman has been officially withdrawn.
The matter was struck off the roll in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court, bringing an abrupt halt to the prosecution of former Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phahlane and former Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Bonang Mgwenya.
Several other senior SAPS generals, officers, businessman Vimpie Manthata, and his company, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (ITLE), were also cleared of the immediate charges.
The multi-million-rand case dates back to a 2016 SAPS contract earmarked for the supply and installation of emergency warning equipment—including blue lights, sirens, and radios—on police vehicles.
According to investigations by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate, the contract was originally valued at R191 million.
While ITLE ultimately received R65 million, an additional R22 million payment was successfully blocked after whistleblowers and investigators flagged massive irregularities.
The state previously alleged that senior police leadership completely bypassed competitive bidding protocols to manipulate the procurement process.
It was argued that ITLE was deliberately favoured in exchange for financial benefits and kickbacks, leading to sweeping charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and forgery.
The withdrawal comes as a major blow to state anti-corruption efforts.
The case had previously survived multiple stalling tactics, including a dismissed bid by the accused to have the matter struck off the roll at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Asset forfeiture units had also previously seized millions of rands in assets linked to the accused as part of the ongoing litigation.
While the withdrawal in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court effectively terminates the current proceedings against Phahlane, Mgwenya, and Manthata, the state retains the right to reinstate charges in the future should new evidence surface or outstanding investigative processes be completed.
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