Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Act into law, which gives more powers to the country’s police watchdog.
The new act results from a comprehensive review of the principal IPID Act of 2011 initiated by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service. This provides the Minister of Police with help on a number of issues such as policies, research, development, and provides civilian oversight of the South African Police Services (SAPS), the Presidency reported.
“The new law entrenches the institutional and operational independence of IPID and makes it clear that the directorate must be independent, impartial and must exercise its powers and functions without fear, favour or prejudice,” Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has signed into law legislation affirming the institutional and operational independence of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and empowering it to investigate serious alleged offences committed by police officers whether on or off…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 31, 2024
The amended law also gives effect to a previous Constitutional Court ruling in the previous McBride vs Minister of Police and another matter which previously invalidated provisions of the IPID Act that allowed the Minister of Police to take disciplinary measures against the Executive Director of IPID, without parliamentary oversight.
The updated legislation amends the provisions relating to the appointment of the Executive Director of IPID. It expands the role of the Executive Director for referrals and disciplinary matters.
“The law now empowers IPID to investigate any deaths caused by the actions of a member of the South African Police Service or a member of a municipal police service, whether such member was on or off duty,”
“IPID is enabled to investigate rape by a member of the SAPS or a member of a municipal police service, whether such member was on or off duty. The law also provides for a savings provision in the conditions of service of existing IPID investigators and provincial heads,” he concluded.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill into law. It reaffirms the institutional and operational independence of the watchdog and empowers it to investigate any deaths caused by police or metro officers, whether on duty… pic.twitter.com/Bq1zdAGTSl
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 31, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
