Criminal cops: Phiyega's latest blunder

17 June 2014

Reports that the Fitness Boards of Inquiry probe into the misconduct and criminal records of over a thousand SAPS staff, established by National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, was done without the requisite authority and is yet another major blunder by the National Commissioner.

We call on Phiyega to urgently clean up her latest mess by re-establishing the boards of inquiry under the correct provisions of the SAPS disciplinary regulations. 

This comes after reports that last week a Labour Court in Port Elizabeth ruled that the Fitness Boards operated without legal force and that the Commissioner did not even have the power to convene fitness boards regarding misconduct.

As a result, hundreds of questionable cops will continue to ‘serve' under SAPS.

This revelation has set an unfortunate precedent that will undoubtedly delay the decriminalisation and restoration of credibility to our national police service.

If Phiyega is to show any real commitment to reforming our police service, which has been in rapid decline over the past five years, she will take responsibility for her blunder and re-establish these fitness boards of inquiry immediately. 

With each passing scandal, it becomes clear that the National Police Commissioner is not up to the task. It is now time to put the quality of our policing first, and get the best possible police commissioner into the position as soon as possible.

South Africans deserve nothing less.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, June 17 2014

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