Sleuth suing State

The former head of Nelson Mandela’s Presidential Investigation Task Unit which investigated top Western Cape police officers and Sicilian mafioso, Vito Roberto Palazzolo, is suing the state for over R16 million.

Andre Lincoln’s action arises out of a long-running case in which he faced 47 charges — and was subsequently acquitted of all of them.

In papers filed at the Cape Town High Court, Lincoln is claiming for damages related to malicious and unlawful prosecution, arguing that senior police officers who instigated the charges against him had intended to harm his dignity, reputation and career prospects.

The Ministers of Justice and Constitutional Development and Safety and Security are cited as respondents in the matter which is set to be heard in the High Court tomorrow.

In 1996, Madiba tasked Lincoln to investigate Palazzolo, who is currently in prison in Italy, and his alleged relationship with senior police officers and politicians.

Lincoln’s defence team said senior cops sabotaged his investigation, and when he complained to then National Police Commissioner George Fivaz, Fivaz ordered an investigation into the unit instead.

The action was allegedly instigated by a Superintendent Bouwer, Inspector Smith and Director Leonard Knipe.

In October 1998, Lincoln was arrested on 47 charges, which included fraud and drunken driving.

He was convicted of 17 of the charges in 2002, and sentenced to nine years in jail.

He appealed his conviction, and in October 2009 was acquitted on all charges.

Lincoln now holds the rank of Major-General in SAPS and is Winelands Cluster Commander.

The police ministry and Justice Department refused to comment on the case.