ICD name changed, mandate extended

2012-04-02 18:26

Johannesburg - The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has changed its name to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), it said on Monday.

Effective from Sunday, the IPID's mandate would include the investigation of deaths in police custody and deaths resulting from police actions, said spokesperson Moses Dlamini in a statement.

The IPID would also be responsible for dealing with complaints related to shots fired from official firearms by police members, rapes committed in police custody or by police members, irrespective of whether they were on duty at the time.

Allegations of torture or assault against police and police corruption would also fall into its jurisdiction.

Dlamini said that the IPID would no longer be responsible for matters related to service delivery or failure of the police to comply with the Domestic Violence Act, No 116 of 1998.

Complaints of this nature would now be handled by the police's inspectorate and secretariat.

Without fear, favour or prejudice

The change was in line with the IPID Act, No 1 of 2011, signed into law by President Jacob Zuma on May 12 last year.

"The independence of the IPID from the police is entrenched by this legislation," Dlamini said.

Members of the SAPS and municipal police services were required to co-operate with the IPID on matters such as the organisation of identity parades and evidence collection.

IPID members would be granted the same powers as police such as the entry and search of premises and arrest of suspects.

As the IPID needed additional investigators to conduct its work, an additional R36m was allocated to its budget.

"The IPID welcomes the change in name and the new mandate and affirms its commitment to investigating without fear, favour or prejudice," Dlamini said.

- SAPA