Union lashes Ipid over Phiyega charges

Published Feb 3, 2016

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The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has reiterated its support for suspended police national commissioner, Riah Phiyega, saying the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (Ipid) move to lay criminal charges against her was just “a fishing expedition”.

“We view this latest move as a deliberate fishing expedition aimed at discrediting and tarnishing the name of General Phiyega in the public domain, as a way to stop any possibility of her return,” said Popcru spokesman Richard Mamabolo.

On Tuesday Ipid acting head, Israel Kgamanyane, told Parliament’s police committee that criminal cases had been opened against Phiyega and three other top cops for their roles in the Marikana shootings in which police shot dead 34 striking mine workers.

He said Phiyega and the former police commissioner in North West, Zukiswa Mbombo, were being investigated for giving misleading testimony before the Farlam commission.

Ipid also opened cases of defeating the ends of justice against Brigadier Ledile Malahlela and Major General Ganasen Naidoo, Kgamanyane said.

“The Marikana report is a very serious and significant matter, no one should trivialise this matter for short term political and selfish ends,” said Mamabolo.

“As Popcru, we have always maintained that as it relates to the Marikana matter, we do not see or know of any reason as to why Phiyega should be charged. We stand by that stance and continue to fully support her.”

Mamabolo said the Marikana tragedy was turned into a “political point scoring exercise”.

“We are of the view that the matter has been turned into a point-scoring trial, and is no longer about Marikana, but something else. The fact that there are inquiries on top of inquiries leaves little to be desired. Why could they not await the outcomes of the inquiry into her fitness to hold office?” Mamabolo asked.

African News Agency

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