Will the axe fall on our top Cop, Riah Phiyega?

The pressure on our top cop, Commissioner Riah Phiyega is mounting. Reports in Weekend newspapers suggest that she will face a disciplinary committee for interfering with investigations into the Western Cape Commissioner Arno Lamoer for fraud, racketeering and a string of other corruption charges. She also faces possible charges stemming from the Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the slaying of 34 striking miners during a protest at the Lonmin mines in 2012.

Although a committee has been setup by Police Minister Nathi Nhleko into the conduct of the commissioner, it remains to be seen if she will be taken to task through the recommended disciplinary hearing for her behaviour as the top cop.  History suggests that the final decision lies with our singing president whether the committee will proceed with steps to have her disciplined.  As in previous cases with action by the president, it all depends on the benefit the commissioner can offer him in terms of his survival in his second term.  The previous incumbent, the flamboyant Bheki Cele, did not prove to be of much significant benefit to the Nkandla Crooner, and therefore was expendable, with the result of him being fired as the top cop. Although the new Commissioner boasted a wealth of experience in the corporate world, in various parastatals and NGOs, she had no previous policing experience, as with the two previous top cops, Cele and Selebi.  Her close relationship with the singing president proved to be enough for her to land the post, with or without policing experience. Similarly with the two previous incumbents, her lack of experience will prove to be her ultimate departure as the number one cop in the country.

So, as the Nkandla crooner weighs his options regarding the Commissioner, will she prove to be of enough benefit to him in the medium term, and thus have all the controversies brushed under the carpet? Knowing the Nkandla crooner, he would probably have her seconded to a less significant post, ala Bheki Cele, and then promote another close friend into the post until a new wave of controversies hits the new incumbent.  By that time he (the Mshini wam rapper) would probably have bought enough time to implement his next tactic via the SAPS/Security Establishment for his political survival, and thus keep him from donning those orange jump suits distributed freely at our Correctional Institutions!