President Jacob Zuma has not appointed a committee to investigate the National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega, the Presidency said on Monday.

This emerged after the weekend newspapers reported that President Zuma had instructed Police Minsiter Nathi Nhleko – before his departure to the UN General Assembly meeting in New York last week – to put together a ministerial committee to look into allegations of misconduct against Phiyega.

According to the reports - the team would among others investigate the allegations that Phiyega tipped off Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer about an investigation into his suspected links to drug dealers.

Last year, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) investigated these allegations and referred the docket to National Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mxolisi Nxasana for a decision.

According to the media reports – the committee would also look into claims that Phiyega misled the public when she claimed that she was not aware that Lieutenant Mondli Zuma, whom she had appointed as Gauteng Police Commissioner, was facing criminal charges.

But Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said the media reports are incorrect.

“President Jacob Zuma has not appointed a committee to investigate the National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, as reported,” he said.