Nonprofit organisation Corruption Watch (CW) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) have launched a survey, on the eve of the commemoration of the Marikana massacre, seeking public input on the selection of the new South African Police Service (Saps) national commissioner and the head of the Hawks.

Both posts were vacant after former Saps National Commissioner Ria Phiyega was suspended following the 2012 killings at Marikana, which left 34 miners dead, and Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza was found by a High Court to be unfit for the position.

The survey aims to develop an ideal profile of a candidate for these two crucial positions by soliciting public feedback on the criteria for selection of candidates, including relevant experience, qualifications and the values appropriate for the positions.

This will be fed into the selection process for these two appointments, which are yet to be made by President Jacob Zuma and the Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula.

CW and the ISS say that at the heart of the Marikana massacre was incompetent and politicised police leadership.

“Inept and inappropriate leadership has long characterised both the Saps and the Hawks. This joint campaign aims to turn the tide on this trend by raising awareness about the roles, function and responsibilities of the Saps national commissioner and the head of the Hawks, encouraging public participation and enhancing transparency in the appointment processes,” said the organisations in a statement. 

They stated that only police leadership of integrity and competence will avert a repeat of the brutality that characterised the Marikana massacre.

As part of the commemoration of Marikana, CW will join with the Right2Know Campaign to host a screening of the documentary Strike a Rock, directed by Anita Khanna, which follows the story of Sikhala Sonke, the women’s organisation that was formed in Marikana following the tragic event.

The screening will take place on Tuesday, 15 August at 18:00 at the Heerengracht Building on 87 De Korte street in Braamfontein.

For more information please contact Carina Conradie on 071 571 4470 or carina.r2k@gmail.com and Kavisha Pillay on 078 490 5540 or kavishap@corruptionwatch.org.za