Phiyega's allegations against me are bogus - Nhleko

Johannesburg - Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said on Wednesday that allegations made by suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega, that he was colluding with newly appointed senior police officials to have her fired, were bogus.

Nhleko was briefing the media during the opening of Yeoville’s police station. 

He said that he had nothing to do with the circumstances facing Phiyega, but rather, it was President Jacob Zuma who had taken the decision to suspend her after recommendations by the Farlam Commission to investigate her fitness to hold office.

Ungibuza ngendaba yentsumantsumaye, ezibhedayo. Angazi ukhuti ngithini. [You are asking me about bogus stories. I don't even know what to say to you]," he told reporters in isiZulu, before switching over to English.

"I don’t know where this comes from. The fact of the matter is that we must understand the process that took place. We had a commission of inquiry (Farlam Commission) appointed by the president, which then ran its course and submitted recommendations to the president to act.  

"The President acts accordingly on that recommendation. Where does the minister come into that equation? This is just something that comes out of absolutely no where," Nhleko told the media. 

'Campaign being waged'

Acting national commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane’s said: "Everyone has got the right to say what they want to say and it’s not up to us to stop anyone from talking to anyone."

This comes after reports that Phiyega had accused Nhleko of leading a campaign to have her fired.

IOL reported that Phiyega said a campaign was being waged by the newly appointed leaders at SAPS, with the backing and blessing of the ministry of police. IOL quoted Phiyega as saying she would spare no effort in fighting against "unlawful processes" aimed at forcing her to resign from her position without an opportunity to present her side of the story.

Phiyega, who was suspended by Zuma in October, said there was a "clear pattern" of witch hunting and public harassment that was "emerging following revelations of further potential probes into my conduct as national commissioner of the South African Police Service".

Phiyega said, apart from the board of inquiry appointed by Zuma to look into her fitness to hold office, there was a possible investigation by Parliament’s portfolio committee on police into "inaccuracies" implied by Phahlane on annual crime statistics.

“I find it deeply regrettable that in the haste to continue with tarnishing my name, the authority and integrity of the other bodies involved in this process has been called into question," said Phiyega.

Nhleko said they were still investigating charges against Phiyega. "...The charge is an inquiry into holding office, but basically the process is underway, it is unfolding. The public will be made aware of the process.”

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.