Suspended top cops cost taxpayers
Mbalula vows to close salaries tap
Suspended senior police officers‚ who include those declared unfit to hold public office as well as alleged murderers and fraudsters‚ are costing taxpayers millions of rands in wasteful expenditure.
Newly appointed police minister Fikile Mbalula plans to put an end to the dozens of officers on suspension‚ by permanently appointing replacements and ending “all these acting posts”.
Driving his mission are the many “winding down the clock” to retirement.
Once retired‚ those on suspension are entitled to draw their pensions and claim their other state benefits.
Suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega and disgraced crime intelligence chief Richard Mdluli have cost taxpayers over R15million in salaries and benefits since their suspensions.
Phiyega‚ suspended in October 2015 on her full annual salary of R1.9-million‚ was in January found to be unfit to hold office by the Claassen Commission of Inquiry which is said to have cost nearly R160-million. She is currently appealing the ruling.
Mdluli‚ who has been suspended for six years‚ is on trial for charges of kidnapping‚ assault and murder. He earns roughly R1.8-million a year.
Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ himself under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate over allegations of corruption‚ is acting national police commissioner.
Phiyega’s five-year employment contract ends in July‚ with Mdluli set to retire later this year. Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza‚ who earns an estimated R1.9-million a year‚ was fired last week after the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruling. Despite Ntlemeza being found to be a liar and unfit to hold his position by multiple courts‚ he has never appeared before an internal disciplinary board.
SA Police Union president‚ Mpho Kwinika‚ said: “The Mdluli suspension [of six years] is unheard of in the history of the police. The Phiyega matter is also ridiculous. What makes it worse is that they are not seen as ‘urgent’ and drag on for years. These people are simply winding down the clock to retirement.”
He said this had come at a terrible cost to the taxpayer.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesman Richard Mamabolo said having people in acting positions meant taxpayers were paying to have two people in the same position.
Mbalula said: “We have explained this [the ending of acting positions] to top management. There are challenges. The Phiyega matter is one. But I say this. Before the end of the year all vacancies will be filled so we do not have acting posts.
“Our strategy is clear. …We will deal with those perpetrating corruption and think they are here to have a holiday. Those found guilty will not have a job within the police.”