The Portfolio Committee on Police has raised urgent alarms regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which is grappling with a staggering backlog of 14,469 cases.

The number, carried over to the current financial year, poses significant challenges to IPID’s ability to uphold its mandate of ensuring accountability within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During a recent meeting that included discussions with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), the committee emphasised the critical role IPID plays in monitoring police conduct. According to Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee, the backlog directly undermines this drive.

“While there have been various interventions aiming to alleviate the case load, the reality is that victims of police abuse of authority remain without recourse,” he said.

The situation is compounded by limited resources, despite the committee welcoming an additional R126.3 million in funding over the medium term.

Although this financial boost is seen as a positive step towards alleviating the backlog, concerns remain that without a strategic plan to address underlying systemic challenges, the issue will persist.

“The nominal increase of employees from 387 to 421 by the 2027/28 financial year is insufficient given the high case per investigator ratio,” stresses Cameron.

The increasing number of reported cases necessitates that IPID enhances its capacity to meet growing demands.

While the committee acknowledges the introduction of a new digital case management system, aimed at improving tracking and communication with victims, there is a pressing need for effective implementation.

A functional system could play a vital role in alleviating the burden of the backlog and ensuring timely responses to victims’ grievances.

In a positive development, the establishment of internal investigation, forensic services, quality assurance, and research units within IPID has been welcomed. This should equip the directorate with the necessary skills to tackle complex cases of reported corruption.

However, the committee’s concerns extend beyond operational challenges to the execution of IPID’s recommendations by SAPS.

A persistent issue highlighted in the meeting is the apparent disregard by SAPS for strong recommendations made by IPID.

Cameron pointed out that this trend jeopardises the effectiveness of IPID, stating, “There is a need for a laser focus on the rate of implementation of the recommendations.”

In tandem with addressing these critical oversight issues, the committee has reiterated the importance of upholding appropriate conduct among SAPS members.

Cameron stated, “The bottom line is that there is no place in the SAPS for rogue police officers who engage in criminal activity.” He reinforced the necessity for SAPS members to remain fit and proper for the services they must deliver to the public.

On the other side of the security landscape, PSiRA is also under scrutiny. The committee has recognised its plans for implementing a digital strategy that aims to streamline interactions with users. The ability to verify the training of private security officers via this digital platform is seen as a significant leap forward.

Additionally, the committee supports PSiRA’s decision to extend its reach to remote areas, including Limpopo and the Northern Cape, ensuring easier access to services for private security companies.

The planned increase in monitoring operations will be vital in confirming that private security companies remain legally registered and compliant with regulations—a facet of security that the committee deems crucial in the fight against crime in the nation.

IOL

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