Inquiry into police commissioners' support of Phiyega gets underway

He was referring to a public statement released by provincial police commissioners on August 1 in support of their embattled boss.

The statement followed the release of the Farlam Commission of inquiry report into the Marikana massacre, which recommended that Phiyega face a board of inquiry.

In the statement, the SAPS Board of Commissioners and top management expressed “serious concern” over the negative attitude towards Phiyega.

But, it was met with outrage and they were eventually made to retract the statement and apologise.

Now, an inquiry will in terms of Rule 201 of the National Assembly Rules seek to establish the following as outlined on Parliament’s website. Statements and transcripts of meetings will also be scrutinised as detailed below:

1.Statements issued by Senior Management members of the SAPS and Provincial Commissioners during July and August 2015 in support of the National Commissioner, General R Phiyega;

2.The process leading up to the issuing of the statements with specific reference to the meeting of the SAPS BOC (Board of Commissioners) that was held at Magoebaskloof on 15 and 16 July 2015.

3. Statements made by Senior Management and Provincial Commissioners during the Portfolio Committee meetings of 12, 18 and 19 August 2015;

4. A Statement issued by Lt. General. S. Makgale on 13 August 2015;and

Individual statements issued by senior commissioners in support of the National Commissioner.

The inquiry will also:

1. Establish and consider whether the respective officers were truthful with their testimony in presenting the facts leading up to the issuing of the said statements.

2. Establish and consider whether the documents and electronic material made available to the Committee verify the statements made during the said Committee meetings.

3. Establish and consider whether the relevant statements were made in compliance with the Standing Order 156.

4. Establish and consider whether the relevant conduct by the officers is in line with good governance principles.

5. Establish and consider whether the relevant conduct prejudiced, embarrassed and discredited the SAPS.

6. Establish and consider whether the said statements were aimed at influencing the process by the President in response to the recommendations of the Farlam Commission in relation to the National Police Commissioner.

Beukman said, from the transcripts, it was clear “there was a confirmation of the protocol but the protocol wasn’t followed”. - ANA

(File photo: Gallo Images)