Amnesty International added its voice to those who welcomed Wednesday’s suspension of National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega by President Jacob Zuma.
The human rights organisation said on Thursday that it “is a positive but long overdue step and will give some hope to the families of the victims of the Marikana shootings that they may finally see justice done”.
“In terms of section 8(3)(a) of the South African Police Service Act‚ 1995‚ the president has suspended General Phiyega as National Commissioner of the South African Police Service with immediate effect and on full pay‚” the Presidency said in a statement.
“The suspension is to endure pending any decision that is made following upon the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry into allegations of misconduct‚ her fitness to hold office and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.”
Deprose Muchena‚ Amnesty International’s director for Southern Africa‚ said on Thursday: “More than three years after striking mineworkers were gunned down by police in Marikana no one has been held to account and General Phiyega is the first member of the South African Police Service to be suspended.
“Her suspension offers an important indication that the government is now taking on board a key recommendation of the Farlam Commission and renews hope that attempts to cover-up the circumstances of these unlawful killings will not be tolerated.
“It also sends an important message to the families of the Marikana victims that justice may at last be done.”
Amnesty: Phiyega suspension will give hope to families of Marikana victims
The human rights organisation said on Thursday that it “is a positive but long overdue step and will give some hope to the families of the victims of the Marikana shootings that they may finally see justice done”.
“In terms of section 8(3)(a) of the South African Police Service Act‚ 1995‚ the president has suspended General Phiyega as National Commissioner of the South African Police Service with immediate effect and on full pay‚” the Presidency said in a statement.
“The suspension is to endure pending any decision that is made following upon the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry into allegations of misconduct‚ her fitness to hold office and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently.”
Deprose Muchena‚ Amnesty International’s director for Southern Africa‚ said on Thursday: “More than three years after striking mineworkers were gunned down by police in Marikana no one has been held to account and General Phiyega is the first member of the South African Police Service to be suspended.
“Her suspension offers an important indication that the government is now taking on board a key recommendation of the Farlam Commission and renews hope that attempts to cover-up the circumstances of these unlawful killings will not be tolerated.
“It also sends an important message to the families of the Marikana victims that justice may at last be done.”
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