Parliament missed a trick in changes to law on police watchdog Ipid
The amendment bill is still unclear on procedures to remove — and appoint — an executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, writes Chumile Sali
Police Minister Bheki Cele asked Parliament in July to investigate Robert McBride, the executive director of police watchdog Ipid, for unethical conduct. Cele was correct to refer the matter to Parliament, in line with the 2016 Constitutional Court decision in McBride v Minister of Police and Minister of Public Administration. In his letter to the speaker of Parliament, dated July 6, Cele states: "The committee of the National Assembly is the body empowered to handle and make the relevant determination." The Constitutional Court in the McBride case confirmed the operational, structural and institutional independence of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). Cele should be commended for directing his complaint to the speaker of Parliament. He correctly expects Parliament to investigate the alleged misconduct of the executive director.
But, while the police minister appreciates the Constitutional Court decision in its totality, Parliament’s portfolio committee ...
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