Phiyega must get Selebi to pay up
National Police Commissioner Mangwashi Phiyega is reportedly still "applying her mind on the process" to recoup the more than R17 million in legal fees still owed to the state by Jackie Selebi.
It is not enough to apply her mind: she needs to act. The Treasury Regulations are crystal clear:
12.7.1 Losses or damages suffered by an institution because of an act committed or omitted by an official, must be recovered from such an official if that official is liable in law.
12.7.2 The accounting officer must determine the amount of the loss or damage and, in writing, request that official to pay the amount within 30 days or in reasonable instalments. If the official fails to comply with the request, the matter must be handed to the State Attorney for the recovery of the loss or damage.
This raises the question as to whether or not this matter has been handed to the State Attorney's office as per the regulations or is the National Police Commissioner in breach?