Wally Rhoode
Major General Wally Rhoode is the head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) within SAPS — responsible for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s personal security. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) found that he conducted an unlawful “parallel investigation” into the 9 February 2020 theft of approximately $580,000 (R9 million in foreign currency) from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala wildlife farm, concealing the crime, kidnapping suspects, bribing suspects, and making an unlawful border crossing. The IPID report was classified “top secret” until ActionSA secured its release through legal challenge. Despite IPID recommending disciplinary action, Rhoode remained in his position as of April 2026.
Phala Phala theft (9 February 2020): Between $580,000 and R8 million in foreign currency was stolen from Phala Phala wildlife farm. The theft was not reported to any police station. Rhoode subsequently conducted an off-book investigation using state resources.
IPID findings: The IPID investigation found Rhoode and Constable Hlulani Rekhoto:
- Concealed the crime (housebreaking and theft of cash) and failed to report it per SAPS procedures
- Conducted an unlawful parallel investigation without SAPS National Commissioner Sitole’s knowledge (Rhoode admitted this was “beyond his scope of work”)
- In March 2020, interviewed alleged suspects Floriana Joseph and David Joseph
- Unlawfully apprehended (kidnapped) suspects for interrogation
- Involved in bribing suspects to conceal the Phala Phala events of 9 February 2020
- Rhoode made an unlawful border crossing
- Rekhoto lied about meetings attended and was directed by Rhoode to identify and survey suspect addresses in Cape Town
Classification and disclosure: The IPID report was classified “top secret” in February 2025. ActionSA fought for its release over more than a year, eventually securing it through legal challenge. The findings had reportedly been known to SAPS leadership for nearly two years before disclosure.
Failure to act: Despite IPID recommending “expedited disciplinary proceedings,” both SAPS leadership and President Ramaphosa had not acted against Rhoode or Rekhoto as of April 2026. Rhoode remained head of the PPU. ActionSA noted this accountability gap directly.
Connections
- Phala Phala wildlife — the farm where the theft occurred; Rhoode’s unlawful investigation covered up the theft
- Cyril Ramaphosa — Rhoode’s principal; IPID findings raise questions about Ramaphosa’s awareness and the cover-up motive
- Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) — investigated PPU conduct; found multiple serious breaches; recommended disciplinary action
- Arthur Fraser — Fraser filed the Phala Phala complaint with SAPS against Ramaphosa in June 2022; Rhoode’s cover-up is directly relevant to that complaint’s credibility