Criminal charges recommended against suspended S. African police chief

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on Tuesday recommended criminal charges against suspended National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega for her negligence that led to the killing of 44 people during mining unrest in 2012.

The police watch also recommended that three other police officials be also charged with defeating the ends of justice.

This has emerged after the IPID's briefing to the parliamentary Police Committee on how they are implementing the recommendations of the Farlam Commission on the Marikana tragedy.

The commission was set up by President Jacob Zuma following the Marikana tragedy in which 44 people were killed during mining unrest at Marikana, North West Province in August 2012.

IPID acting spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said they have handed over the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Raburabu said the IPID has asked the NPA to craft those charges of defeating the ends of justice with regard to the Marikana tragedy.

The spokesperson indicated that there would be more charges against Phiyega and three other police officials.

A task team consisting of 21 members from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the IPID and NPA is investigating cases related to the Marikana tragedy.

Zuma sacked Phiyega last October pending the outcome of inquiry into allegations of misconduct, her fitness to hold office and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.

Phiyega is blamed for defects in police tactical plan which were believed to be among the factors that led to the Marikana tragedy.

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. Endit