EFF STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT ZUMA’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BOARD OF ENQUIRY INTO THE FITNESS OF NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSIONER RIAH PHIYEGA

22 September 2015

The EFF welcomes President Jacob Zuma’s overdue decision to constitute a board of enquiry on National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega’s fitness to hold office following her role in the brutal massacre of mineworkers in Marikana. President Zuma today announced that he has done this “in terms of Sections 9(1) of the South African Police Service Act, 1995” but also in line with the recommendations of the Farlam Commission.

In addition, Zuma has “furnished National Commissioner General Victoria Phiyega with the terms of reference of the Board of Inquiry following her request for further clarity with regards to the inquiry, and has in addition accorded General Phiyega a further opportunity to make representations by the 28th September as to why she should not be suspended pending the final determination of her fitness to hold office.”

The EFF is worried that Zuma has extended the time to determine whether to put Phiyega under suspension or not until the 28 of September. This is disheartening and seems like a Mary-go-round when Zuma has already given her enough time to explain herself since the publication of the Farlam Commission Report. In addition there is ample evidence in the Commission report that necessitate for Zuma to place Phiyega under immediate suspension.

We further warn against the sole pursuit of Phiyega and other police personnel who were involved in the massacre whilst excluding the politicians that were also involved. This will lead to a half baked solution to the problem of so brutal a crime against humanity which occurred under a democratic government that claims to be based on the values of human rights.

Phiyega must not be made into the post-apartheid Eugene De Kock who was the sacrificial lamb that was hanged for all apartheid sins. His notorious unit, C1 which was used to inflict suffering, torture and murder of activists, operated even under the presidency of FW De Klerk who was fully aware of its activities, yet he went on to be rewarded a Nobel Peace Prize whilst De Kock was left to rot in jail.

EFF believes that the actions of Cyril Ramaphosa and Nathi Mthethwa had a causal effect on the ultimate decision to plan the mass killings of workers in Marikana. They participated in the conspiracy to murder the defenceless workers who were asking only for a raise of R12,500. Conspiracy to commit murder is a criminal offence in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. President Zuma should therefore not be double standard; he take action in terms of this act against Ramaphosa and Mthethwa.

It cannot be that politicians who participate in crimes against humanity are left to flourish, rewarded with cabinet posts, whilst those who report to them take the blame and fall. A true democracy based on the equality and the rule of law, as well as respect for human rights will prosecute all politicians who were involved in the Marikana massacre.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, September 22 2015