Mining deaths a joke to police chief
October 24, 2012
Riah Phiyega
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega reportedly laughed and joked
as footage of the killing of 34 miners in a clash with police was screened at
the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, The Times reported on Wednesday.
Phiyega reportedly joked with a state law adviser as a prelude to the
killings was screened at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.
Surrounded by her senior officers, Phiyega smiled as she watched.
It was only after screams of horror echoed across the room, as the
footage was played without any warning, that Phiyega’s “humorous demeanour
changed to that of an ice queen, blatantly ignoring the wailing families”, the
report continued.
“…Phiyega stared straight ahead, ignoring a widow screaming at her for
answers about her husband’s death,” the newspaper reported.
“Why did they do this? Why did your policemen kill my husband? What did
he do?” the woman screamed at her.
Later she was seen comforting one of the widows of the two policemen
killed ahead of the August 16 shooting.
Asked repeatedly for comment on why she did not help those upset, and
what she had been joking about, Phiyega said: “I am not here for that. I am
here for the commission and the commission only.”
Bishop Jo Seroka, a talks facilitator for the miners, said: “She sat
there laughing and did nothing. You would expect a sense of remorse and empathy
which was non-existent.” – Sapa
- See more at:
http://praag.org/?p=3033#sthash.0drq1OMl.dpuf
