Parliament, Friday, 22 May 2020 – The Portfolio Committee on Police and the Select Committee on Security and Justice have resolved to give the Ministry of Police three months to recommend to the committees a candidate for the position of Executive Director for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
As per the IPID Act, the Minister must nominate a suitably qualified person for appointment to the office of Executive Director and the committees must, within a period of 30 parliamentary working days of the nomination, confirm or reject such a nomination.
“The appointment of a permanent Head of IPID is critical, especially considering the critical role the IPID is supposed to play. Furthermore, the appointment of the IPID Executive Director will enable the IPID to achieve set targets and ensure stability in the department,” said Ms Shahidabibi Shaikh, the Chairperson of the Select Committee.
While the committees granted the further three months’ grace period for the Ministry to headhunt a fit and proper person, it is cognisant that legally the recommendation should have been done by February 2020. “The contract of the former Executive Director ended on 28 February 2019, which means the year stipulated by the Act is three months overdue. We need to reach finality on the matter to set IPID on a new path of stability and effectiveness in delivering its mandate,” said Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee.
Despite the strict timelines given, both committees have emphasised the importance of finding a fit and proper person for consideration. “The timelines do not mean we should compromise on the quality of the recommended individual,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson emphasised.
The committees also welcomed assurances that the Members of the Executive of the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force are implementing a majority of orders in the [Collins] Khosa Judgement.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MS TINA JOEMAT-PETTERSSON – AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE, MS SHAHIDABIBI SHAIKH.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the Committees’ Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour