Top Cop Faces Hitch

By: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

Riyah Phiyega, another top cop on the way out with a lot baggage and business that is going within the South African Police Service (SAPS). She is the 3^rd top cop to be sacked for maladministration within a period of 15 years, and that has left, rather astringent taste about the police service in South Africa.  The biggest concern for me is the reliance and dependency of ordinary citizens to the police service for safety and security when the top bosses lack the capacity to show leadership skills and qualities that will ensure the trust between the SAPS, and its biggest stakeholder the citizen of the republic of South Africa.

For the past five years we only heard complaints and negative comments directed to the Police Department, due to its incompetence; the police killing people in Marikana, the death of Mido Macia and Andries Tatane through police brutality, almost R1.7 billion spent on unlawful leases by Bheki Cele, the arrest and conviction of Jackie Selebi for involvement with drug lord Glen Aglioti, coupled with crimes like racketeering, fraud and corruption.

With Phiyega suspended with full pay, there is acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, whom we do not know whether his appoint was done following the proper procedures, and what crowded skeletons he has in his closet just yet…but akhonto ifihleka kude kuphele!