Riah Phiyega Responds To Allegations Of Corruption And Mismanagement In SAPS Restructuring

Once celebrated as South Africa’s first female national police commissioner, Riah Phiyega is back in the public eye a decade later—this time facing renewed scrutiny over her leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During Parliament’s ad hoc committee hearings into corruption within the police, former Police Minister Bheki Cele accused Phiyega of “dismantling” the SAPS. His remarks reignited debate over her controversial tenure.

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On Monday, former Deputy Commissioner Dr Leah Shibambo told the committee that she was dismissed without warning under Phiyega’s watch, describing herself as a casualty of corruption within the police ranks.

Phiyega, now the CEO of the Safer South Africa Foundation, hit back strongly, saying Shibambo’s “feelings are probably real” but rejecting what she called “alternative facts and lies.”

Phiyega Says Parliament Pressured SAPS to Restructure

Addressing the controversy, Phiyega maintained that the SAPS restructuring was not a unilateral decision but one prompted by directives from Parliament.

“Parliament was putting a lot of pressure on the police to say, there is no way you could be having six deputy national commissioners, the structure is top-heavy,” she explained.

She added that the process, which began before her appointment, was undertaken in consultation with the National Management Forum, a body in which Shibambo herself participated.

“Phiyega said her leadership style introduced “a new way of doing things within the police,” emphasising that she personally consulted every officer affected by the changes.

Labour Court Judgment and Riah Phiyega’s Defence

However, a 2014 Labour Court ruling found that some dismissals during the restructuring were carried out without proper consultation under the Labour Relations Act, ordering the process to be suspended.

702’s Bongani Bingwa questioned Phiyega on the ruling, saying, “The judgment clearly says there appears to have been a complete failure to invoke a consultation process.”

Phiyega dismissed the claim, countering, “What does Section 18 (89) say? It says, it gives the employer the opportunity to negotiate with the employee based on the issues or restructuring or termination or whatever.”

She added that, following the court’s decision, she had expressed willingness to continue the consultation process. Phiyega also alleged that Dr Shibambo refused the position she was later offered—heading the SAPS Education Trust.

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