Cape Town – The probe into allegations of misconduct by SA Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Riah Phiyega needs to be broadened to include further allegations, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.
“The DA rejects President [Jacob] Zuma’s refusal to widen the terms of reference of the inquiry into suspended National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega’s fitness for office. It is a slap in the face for the millions of South Africans who want real accountability for her dismal performance,” DA spokesman Zakhele Mbhele said in a statement.
“The terms of reference must be widened to include allegations, detailed in today’s [Sunday] Sunday Independent that she is still interfering in the operational management of the police service despite being suspended,” he said.
In a statement issued on the presidency’s website on Friday, it was announced that “President Jacob Zuma has not amended the terms of reference of the board of inquiry into the allegations of misconduct by Riah Phiyega and/or her capacity to execute official duties efficiently, arising from the Marikana Commission of Inquiry… The terms remain the same”.
“This means that the inquiry into Phiyega is based solely on the recommendations of the Farlam Commission into the Marikana massacre. But the fact is that there are a wide range of issues that necessitate widening the inquiry’s terms of reference,” Mbhele said.
The DA had twice requested Zuma to widen the terms of reference on rational and substantive grounds. The most recent premise was the damning findings of the ministerial reference group (MRG), established by Police Minister Nathi Nhleko in October 2014. It found Phiyega guilty of perjury, misconduct, fraud, and misleading Parliament.
Phiyega’s failings went far beyond the tragedy of Marikana. She had directly contributed to the decline of the SAPS and compromised its ability to ensure that ordinary South Africans were safe and secure in their homes, workplaces, and on the streets.
“President Zuma continues to disregard the safety needs of ordinary citizens by not dealing decisively and comprehensively with the leadership failure in the police service that is Riah Phiyega. Clearly their plea for a police service that is efficient and led by experienced and ethical senior management is another addition to the list of #ThingsZumaLaughsAt,” Mbhele said.
African News Agency
* Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.