Johannesburg - The probe into alleged misconduct by national police commissioner Riah Phiyega will be compromised if she is not suspended, the SA Policing Union (Sapu) said on Thursday.
“We were of the view that the national commissioner, as someone who has been portrayed as a business and administrative guru, would have taken (leave) in order not to influence or exert pressure on the Ipid probe,” Sapu general secretary Oscar Skommere said in a statement.
“While others are saying the Ipid is independent from the (SA Police Service), we beg to differ.”
Phiyega faces charges of defeating the ends of justice after a formal complaint was lodged with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
She is accused of tipping off Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Arno Lamoer about investigations against him. Phiyega has denied doing so.
On Tuesday, Phiyega's spokesman Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale said the commissioner welcomed the probe.
“The national commissioner still maintain(s) that she committed no crime,” he said.
Skommere said Phiyega was a liability and her continued leadership of the police would compromise service delivery.
“Both her management team and functionary officers on the ground have lost confidence in her,” he said.
According to Sowetan on Thursday, Phiyega distributed an e-mail to members of the police asking for their support as pressure for her to be suspended mounted.
Sapa