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Marikana inquiry: South Africa police chief suspended Marikana inquiry: South Africa police chief suspended
(35 minutes later)
South African President Jacob Zuma has suspended police chief Riah Phiyega while allegations of misconduct are examined, his office says.South African President Jacob Zuma has suspended police chief Riah Phiyega while allegations of misconduct are examined, his office says.
Last month, Mr Zuma's office launched an investigation into her role in the 2012 killing of 34 miners by officers during a strike at the Marikana mine.Last month, Mr Zuma's office launched an investigation into her role in the 2012 killing of 34 miners by officers during a strike at the Marikana mine.
It followed an inquiry's finding that police followed a "defective" plan to break up the strike.It followed an inquiry's finding that police followed a "defective" plan to break up the strike.
Gen Phiyega disputes the findings and defends police handling of the strike.
Numerous calls have been made for Ms Phiyega to be sacked over the case.Numerous calls have been made for Ms Phiyega to be sacked over the case.
No-one has been charged or held responsible for the killings.No-one has been charged or held responsible for the killings.
Gen Phiyega has disputed the findings of the inquiry and defended the police handling of the violent strike. Analysis: Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg
This suspension is significant because President Zuma is in essence implementing one of the recommendations from the Marikana inquiry, headed by retired judge Ian Farlam.
After 34 miners were gunned down at the Lonmin-owned platinum mine in August 2012, there were calls for the senior police officers including police commissioner Riah Phiyega to resign.
President Zuma established the inquiry, which concluded that the police had a "defective" plan and lacked adequate training for the type of protest they were dealing with.
President Zuma came in for some criticism for appointing Gen Phiyega, who had no prior police background but came from a corporate environment.
Now that the president has appointed Gen Johannes Phahlane - a career policeman - as acting head of the police, some stability might return to the turbulent security structure.
A three-member board will examine Gen Phiyega's leadership decisions and actions which led to the death of the 34 mineworkers. It will assess whether she or other police officers concealed information on decisions they took in handling the unrest.
Last month, President Zuma asked Gen Phiyega to give reasons why she should not be suspended while the investigation proceeded.
When Mr Zuma made Wednesday's announcement, the police commissioner was reportedly in parliament presenting the police's annual report. She has been suspended on full pay.
She took the post soon after her predecessor was fired after being declared unfit for the position, because of his involvement in a dubious property lease agreement.