Nhleko-Phiyega spat erodes public trust in the SAPS and Zuma needs to intervene 

13 November 2015

President Jacob Zuma needs to urgently intervene in the public spat between the Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, and disgraced National Police Commissioner (NPC), Riah Phiyega, which emanates from the damning findings of Nhleko’s Ministerial Reference Group (MRG) that found the NPC Phiyega was guilty of perjury, misleading Parliament and a multitude of failings and misconduct that has characterised her tenure. 

President Zuma, acting in accordance with section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution, must widen the terms of reference of the ongoing investigation to include the scathing findings of the MRG and ultimately discharge her once and for all.

The public spat between the Minister and Phiyega reveals the extent of problems in leadership in policing. This will only further erode the trust of the public and negatively affect the morale of police officers, which will adversely affect the quality and effectiveness of the service provided to the people of South Africa. 

At the end of the day this issue is rooted in the President’s flawed appointment of a person who was not fit for purpose in the position of NPC. President Zuma is ideally placed to resolve this and get our police service back on track and focused on its core mandate which is to halt the soaring levels of crime that affects millions of South Africans every day.

If the President appointed someone on merit as Police Commissioner, all these problems would not arise in the first place.

In an interview on eNCA earlier today, Phiyega admitted to making mistakes with SAPS and she said that she has learnt from them. The fact remains that South Africa cannot afford for her to continue making mistakes that directly impact on the ability of the SAPS to effectively combat crime in our country.  

Crime is rife in South Africa. Every single person in our country fears for their safety and the safety of their family. The people deserve to have a Police Commissioner that is experienced and who they can trust will be effective in ensuring our homes and streets are safe.

This is why the President must widen the terms of reference of his inquiry into Phiyega’s fitness to hold office to include her entire disastrous career which will surely find that she is not fit to hold the position of Police Commissioner and further that she should be replaced with someone who is.

The DA has long pushed for this and will continue to do so for the sake of the safety of our country and its people.

Statement issued by Zakhele Mbhele MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, 13 November 2015