Phiyega Inquiry should include all responsible: DA

22 August 2015 - 13:25 By RDM News Wire

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega should not be made the “sacrificial scapegoat” for the Marikana massacre and the inquiry into her fitness to hold office should include all those responsible‚ the Democratic Alliance says. President Jacob Zuma on Friday informed General Phiyega of his intention to launch an inquiry into allegations of misconduct follwing the Farlam Commission of Inquiry report into the Marikana massacre on August 16 2012 when 34 miners were killed by police.There have been calls from the police ministry and the public for Mr Zuma to fire her.The inquiry will also look into her “fitness for the office she occupies and her ability to execute her duties efficiently” or “any other conduct which may have a bearing on her position as head of the police service”‚ the statement read.Gen Phiyega faces suspension pending the outcome of the inquiry but she can make written representations to Mr Zuma as to why she should not.The Democratic Alliance on Saturday welcomed the decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into Gen Phiyega’s fitness to hold office and also the decision to suspend her pending the outcome of the inquiry.“Given the importance of the position‚ and its role in ensuring that all South Africans are safe and secure‚ she should be removed from office while the Inquiry proceeds with its deliberations‚” DA spokesperson on police matters Dianne Kohler Barnard said.She added that the DA had sent the President a submission on August 4 detailing the factors that had “rendered the incumbent NPC unfit for her current position as the operational and administrative head of the South African Police Service (SAPS)”.“Her failings over the past three years have contributed‚ in no small measure‚ to the events the led to the Marikana Massacre that saw the death of 44 mineworkers. She has also overseen the sharp decline of the SAPS and affected the service’s ability to protect South Africans‚” Ms Kohler Barnard asserted.But she added: “While we welcome this Inquiry which is important for exacting justice for the families and loved ones of those that died at Marikana‚ Ms Phiyega should not be the sacrificial scapegoat but that the terms of reference also include those that bore the ultimate political responsibility for what happened at Marikana. “This includes the then Minister of Police‚ Nathi Mthethwa‚ the former Minister of Mineral Resources‚ Susan Shabangu‚ and even the incumbent Deputy President‚ Cyril Ramaphosa‚ for putting big business and financial self-interest ahead of the lives of ordinary South Africans exercising their constitutional right to protest for a better life for them and their families.” Ms Kohler Barnard said the DA now looked forward to the full terms of the inquiry being made public. These should be extended‚ she added‚ so that the commission not only investigates her fitness to hold office - as required by the Farlam Commission’s report - but also “investigates her poor record as the NPC - where she has failed to fight crime”. “Ms Phiyega’s track record at the helm of police service has been disastrous to say the least: - No progress has been made in addressing police brutality; - She has failed to rectify the resourcing crisis in the SAPS; - Violent crimes have soared under her watch with a murder rate that sees 47 South Africans dead every single day; - No decisive action has been taken against SAPS members found to have criminal records; - She‚ herself‚ has been the subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for allegedly defeating the ends of justice. The outcome of which recommended an Inquiry of its own.“South Africa desperately needs a well-managed SAPS‚ that they can trust to keep our streets safe. We all bear the brunt of a disintegrating police service‚ which lacks effective leadership. This is a welcomed opportunity to get it right‚” Ms Kohler Barnard added...

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