Former police commissioner Riah Phiyega rejected accusations of improper dismissals after testifying before Parliament's corruption investigation committee. She defended her 2013 restructuring decision that removed deputy commissioner Leah Shibambo from operational duties. Phiyega stated lawmakers pressured her administration to reduce six deputy positions because the management structure had become inefficient.
Shibambo testified on Monday that she learned of her replacement at a media briefing via a text message, without formal notification. Courts ruled in 2014 that the dismissals violated labor procedures because officials failed to conduct proper consultations. Former police minister Bheki Cele accused Phiyega of weakening law enforcement capabilities after President Jacob Zuma appointed her in 2012.
Phiyega leads the Safer South Africa Foundation after leaving the South African National Police in 2015. Her tenure faced scrutiny following the Marikana incident, where officers killed 34 miners in 2012.
Shibambo testified on Monday that she learned of her replacement at a media briefing via a text message, without formal notification. Courts ruled in 2014 that the dismissals violated labor procedures because officials failed to conduct proper consultations. Former police minister Bheki Cele accused Phiyega of weakening law enforcement capabilities after President Jacob Zuma appointed her in 2012.
Phiyega leads the Safer South Africa Foundation after leaving the South African National Police in 2015. Her tenure faced scrutiny following the Marikana incident, where officers killed 34 miners in 2012.
