Johannesburg – The IFP has called for an investigation into claims that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega defeated the ends of justice.

“It is compulsory that a formal investigation be conducted to clear her name if she is innocent,” IFP spokesperson Velaphi Ndlovu said in a statement on Friday.

“It does not matter whether the national commissioner denies the allegations. It is compulsory that a formal investigation be conducted to clear her name if she is innocent.

“As a nation, we cannot afford to have a police commissioner with such damning allegations against her name. It totally discredits the SA Police Service [SAPS].”

The Star reported on Friday that Phiyega allegedly tipped off a senior police officer, who allegedly accepted a bribe from a criminal, that he was being investigated by crime intelligence.

However, Phiyega had reportedly denied giving him a tip-off, and said he became aware of the investigation after the DA asked a question about it in Parliament.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed on Friday that it had received allegations of defeating the ends of justice against Phiyega.

“The matter does not fall under the matters investigated by the IPID. So the executive director of the IPID will assess it and make a decision on whether it must be investigated by the IPID,” said spokesperson Moses Dlamini.

The Star reported that Phiyega had said she was confident the allegations “will not stick”.

“You can try as much as you like, but you will not succeed. No mud thrown at me will stick,” she was quoted as saying.

“I remain determined to ensure that nothing, absolutely nothing, deters me and my leadership team from the new journey of rebuilding the SAPS, especially the crime intelligence division.”

DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said it was important that Phiyega’s actions be investigated, because the allegations were serious.

“If commissioner Phiyega is innocent, she should not oppose an investigation. Indeed she should encourage one,” said Kohler-Barnard.

– SAPA