SOUTH AFRICA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially signed into law the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) amendment bill, marking a significant milestone in law enforcement reform. The IPID amendment bill was signed by the president on Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The enactment of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Act elevates the autonomy and jurisdiction of IPID, bolstering its capacity to supervise police conduct within the law enforcement sector.
This legislative revision represents a substantial enhancement to the IPID Act of 2011, following a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service.
The Secretariat, which provides advisory support to the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, on policy matters, oversees the South African Police Service (SAPS), and engages with external stakeholders on crime prevention and policing strategies.
The amended law ensures that IPID functions with heightened objectivity and immunity from external influence, addressing concerns raised by a previous Constitutional Court ruling in the McBride v Minister of Police case.
The ruling highlighted deficiencies in the previous IPID Act that granted the Minister of Police unilateral authority to discipline the Executive Director of IPID without sufficient parliamentary oversight. Under the revised legislation, IPID’s independence is further fortified through revamped protocols for appointing the Executive Director and expanded mandates concerning disciplinary procedures.
The directorate is now empowered to conduct security clearances for prospective employees and investigate grave incidents, such as fatalities or sexual assaults involving police officers, irrespective of their on-duty status. Furthermore, the Act incorporates provisions safeguarding the terms of service for existing IPID investigators and provincial heads, underscoring its commitment to enhancing oversight and accountability within the South African law enforcement landscape.
