Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has written a letter to National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega informing her of his intention to institute an enquiry into her fitness to hold office, says the Presidency.
“President Jacob Zuma has written to the National Police Commissioner, General Victoria Phiyega, informing her of his intention to institute an enquiry into the allegations of misconduct and/or lack of fitness for the office that she occupies and /or her ability to execute her duties efficiently with regard thereto, or any other conduct which may have a bearing on her position as Head of the Police Service,” said the Presidency in a statement on Friday.
Phiyega has an opportunity to make written representations to the President as to why she should not be placed on suspension pending the outcome of the enquiry.
This comes after the President in June released the report of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
On 26 August 2012, he had appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate matters of public, national and international concern arising out of the tragic incidents at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana during 11 to 16 August 2012. About 44 people lost their lives and many others were injured.
The commission was tasked with enquiring into and making findings and recommendations concerning the conduct of Lonmin Plc, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and other government departments, as well as individuals and groupings.
The commission’s report recommended, among other things, that there be an enquiry into Phiyega’s fitness to hold office.
President Zuma had written to the National Commissioner to inform her of the recommendations pertaining to her. She in turn submitted her comments and views to the President which he studied. – SAnews.gov.za
