Riah Phiyega: suspended

South Africa’s   National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega  has been suspended by President Jacob Zuma, pending the outcome of inquiry into allegations of misconduct, her fitness to hold office and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.

Phiyega during the suspension, in line with  the terms of the South African Police Service Act (1995), will earn her  full pay, the Presidency said.

Phiyega is blamed for defects in police tactical plan which were believed to be among the factors that led to the Marikana tragedy in which 44 people were killed during mining unrest in Marikana near Rustenburg, North West Province in 2012.

In August this year, Zuma set up the Board of Inquiry into whether Phiyega is fit to hold office.

In addition to the Marikana tragedy, Phiyega is also blamed for the lack of progress in addressing police brutality, the failure to rectify the resourcing crisis in the SAPS, violent crimes that have soared under her watch with a murder rate that sees 47 South Africans killed every single day, and lack of decisive action against SAPS members found to have criminal records.