14 December 2022

The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service has extended the period for submission of comments on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill. The date of submission has now been extended to 15 January 2023.

The Bill was drafted by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service in collaboration with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (commonly known as IPID).

The Bill proposes the entrenchment of the institutional and operational independence of IPID, as well as to make it expressly clear that IPID must be impartial and must exercise its powers and functions without fear, favour or prejudice. This is in order to give effect to the McBride judgment, where Judge Bosielo made certain pronouncements concerning the importance of the independence of IPID in order for it to function appropriately.

Furthermore, a more transparent and open process for the appointment of the Executive Director is provided for in the Bill which is imperative in view of Judge Bosielo’s assertion in the McBride judgment that the manner of appointment of the Executive Director of IPID is fundamental to its independence.

The Bill also prescribes a more detailed and thorough process for integrity testing of IPID officials, and for the amendment of other provisions of the principal Act, so as to ensure that IPID executes its mandate effectively and efficiently.

The draft Bill can be found at www.policesecretariat.gov.za. Members of the public are invited to submit comments on the Bill on or before 15 January 2023. Comments on the Bill can be submitted to the following platforms:

1. Email to comments.IpidBill@csp.gov.za


2. Post for attention of
   Mr. M. Ntwana at:
   Civilian Secretariat for Police Service
   Private Bag X922
   PRETORIA
   0001

OR


3. Hand-delivery at the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, Fedsure Forum Building, 2nd Floor, Corner of Pretorius and Lilian Ngoyi Streets, PRETORIA.