Phiyega: Phahlane lays down the law

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

Published Nov 22, 2015

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Johannesburg - Acting police chief Kgomotso Phahlane has written a strongly worded letter to all members of the SAPS warning them to refrain from taking instructions from the suspended National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega.

The Sunday Independent understands that Phahlane decided to write the letter after it emerged that some officials who opposed Phiyega’s suspension were informing her about developments at police headquarters.

Well-placed sources say Phahlane’s warning was triggered by information that several high-ranking officials believed to be loyal to Phiyega were keeping the suspended commissioner up to date about happenings in the service.

This has apparently earned Phahlane’s ire.

In the letter issued on Thursday, Phahlane said it had come to his attention that Phiyega had been making contact with SAPS employees to “enquire or give instructions in respect of official matters”.

Phahlane said that as Phiyega had been suspended, she “may not exercise any of the powers and authority that are normally associated with the position of the national commissioner”.

Phiyega declined to comment, saying only that Phahlane was the best person to talk to because he was the author of the letter.

“There is war going on here. It’s gonna be difficult to work with such people,” said a source who wished to remain anonymous.

A highly placed source close to Phahlane said an investigation was under way to determine who had been leaking information to Phiyega. The source said the probe had found “certain individuals” had told Phiyega everything that had been discussed at a two-day strategy meeting convened by Phahlane in preparing a proposed plan to be presented to MPs.

The Sunday Independent asked Phahlane’s acting spokesman, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, to clarify what the acting commissioner had meant by saying staff must refrain from contacting Phiyega. He said: “This is an internal matter, I cannot discuss it in public.” Mulaudzi wanted to know how The Sunday Independent had got its hands on the letter.

President Jacob Zuma suspended Phiyega last month pending an investigation into her fitness to hold office following adverse findings made against her by the Farlam inquiry into the Marikana massacre.

In part, Phahlane’s letter reads: “As the president… has appointed an acting national commissioner during the period of General Phiyega’s suspension, the Minister of Police (Nathi Nhleko) has requested Phiyega refrain from communicating with any official of the department in her official capacity.”

All official communication between the department and Phiyega should be channelled through the minister of police or his office, Phahlane wrote.

Nhleko’s spokesman, Musa Zondi, refused to comment, saying it was an internal matter.

The Sunday Independent

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