JOHANNESBURG — Suspended South African National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega on Wednesday refused to resign amid attempts to bring criminal charges against her.
Phiyega told reporters in Johannesburg that the resignation is not in her purview as she just wants the opportunity to clear her name through due process, which she believes the scheduled inquiry will provide.
The former police chief was speaking one day after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) recommended criminal charges against her for defeating the ends of justice in relation to the Marikana tragedy, in which 44 people were killed during mining unrest in Marikana, North West Province, in 2012.
On Tuesday, the IPID recommended that Phiyega and three other police officials be charged with defeating the ends of justice.
Zuma sacked Phiyega last October pending the outcome of an inquiry into allegations of misconduct, her fitness to hold office, and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.
Phiyega is blamed for defects in the police’s tactical plan which were believed to be among the factors that led 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 South African Police Service (SAPS), and lack of decisive action against SAPS members found to have criminal records.
Phiyega said at her Wednesday press conference that under the circumstances, the courts were the only just and fair platform to which she could resort.
She said she remained focused on the inquiry into the allegations of misconduct and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.
– Nampa-Xinhua
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