Riah Phiyega must be suspended pending outcome of IPID investigation

The DA calls for the immediate suspension of National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega pending the conclusion of an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation, into allegations she defeated the ends of justice. 

IPID has now confirmed that it will conduct an independent and impartial investigation.

We are pleased that the investigation will be fast-tracked.

In order to ensure that the investigation is truly independent, Phiyega must be suspended as a course of action to allow the investigation to be conducted without any possibility of her interference. 

According to the Labour Relations Act, if an employee has been implicated in misconduct of a serious nature, there is prima facie evidence of guilt and if there is reason to believe that the employee will unfairly influence the investigation - there are reasonable grounds for a suspension.

We believe allegations that Phiyega alerted the Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Arno Lamoer, that he was being investigated could mean that she defeated the ends of justice. Given the severity of these allegations it is therefore essential that she is suspended.

If she is found guilty, we trust that she will be summarily dismissed and formally charged with defeating the ends of justice.

The silence of the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, is duly noted.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, October 29 2013

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