Phiyega court bid delays Claassen inquiry report debate

Parliament’s police watchdog body will delay any consideration of the contested Claassen board of inquiry’s report into the fitness of suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega to hold office, pending an outcome of a review application.

Francois Beukman, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, said on Monday: “It may be prudent at this stage to wait for the outcome of the review application before we proceed.”

Phiyega last week filed papers in the North Gauteng High Court to seek exoneration of findings that she wasn’t fit to hold office.

READ MORE: Phiyega using delay tactics to avoid accountability – DA 

The report was informed in part by the Marikana Commission probe into the 2012 Lonmin massacre in which Phiyega was fingered as a player in the heavy-handed force used by police against protesting miners.

A total of 34 miners died during the violent protes6s.

Granting time to the review application would not hinder aspects of the Marikana Commission’s recommendations from being discussed, Beukman said.

“The committee will continue to monitor the SA Police Service’s implementation of the Marikana recommendations, as well as the ongoing investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate into the tragedy.”

Before Phiyega’s court application, the Marikana report was due to be deliberated on March 22.

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