Police forum hails Ipid Act

The Community Policing Forum (CPF) has welcomed the signing of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) Amendment Act, stating it will enhance the accountability and independence of the police watchdog. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law this week, giving powers to the independent police complaint body to investigate serious alleged offences and crimes committed by police officers, regardless of whether they were on or off duty. According to a Cape Argus report, spokesperson to the President, Vincent Magwenya, said: ‘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.’ National CPF chairperson and Western Cape provincial board chairperson, Fransina Lukas, said the Bill was welcomed. ‘The fact that a SAPS member will be open for investigation whether on or off duty is especially welcomed because the community does not differentiate between on and off duty. A police officer remains a police officer on or off duty,’ Lukas said.