Pretoria – (18 August 2015) Today, Ms Dianne Kohler-Barnard circulated an sms and claimed that she was uncertain whether or not it was sent by the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Riah Phiyega.
It is rather surprising that Ms Kohler-Barnard suddenly alleges that she no longer knows the National Commissioner’s cellphone number, although she has previously received communication from the same number.
The text read as follows:
I am black, proud, capable and get it clear you can take nothing from me, eat your heart out. I am not made by you and cannot be undone by you, Riah Phiyega.
The sms was indeed sent by General Phiyega and was not meant for public distribution by Ms Kohler-Barnard.
If Ms Kohler-Barnard feels threatened by a statement of self-affirmation then it is unfortunate. The message was certainly not intended as a threat and it is difficult to see how it could be interpreted as such. It is equally unfortunate that Ms Kohler-Barnard launched an unprovoked and unbecoming personal attack on the National Commissioner during a television interview on ANN7 last week Thursday.
