Latest news with #PortfolioCommitteeonPolice
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Ipid drowning in cases as accountability slips
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. Image: SAPS 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 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.
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
Brazen cop downs drinks in police uniform
A video of a South African police officer downing drinks in uniform has courted controversy on social media. Some users have even tagged authorities, including Ian Cameron, who heads up the Portfolio Committee on Police. On TikTok and X, an unidentified police officer was seen chugging down a drink offered to him by several civilians. The officer is jokingly supported by his colleague, both of whom wear their full uniform. While it's unclear what the police officer consumed, South Africans on social media were adamant that his actions were indecent. Stephanie: 'Respect your work. He is advertising is bad behavior'. Ashleym: 'This is disrespect to his uniform, alcohol or no.t' Shaunsingh80: 'Even if you're off duty, polce should show respect to their badge.' According to the SAPS, drinking or purchasing alcohol on duty, as well as in police uniform, is strictly prohibited. Considered misconduct, the act can result in the officer's dismissal. Additionally, if the officer was operating a vehicle, the officer can also face criminal charges of driving under the influence or reckless and negligent driving. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
Are police winning the war on Gender-Based Violence?
Despite the challenges, police reported a strong showing in training and enforcement efforts. While nearly 100 police stations in the country still lack a dedicated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) desk, the South African Police Service (Saps) has exceeded several of its performance targets in the fight against gender-based crimes. GBV remains a crisis in South Africa, with alarming rates of women and children falling victim, often at the hands of those closest to them. On Wednesday, Saps briefed the Portfolio Committee on Police on its Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Action Plan. The plan, finalised on 15 January 2025, is aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF and the term of the Seventh Administration (2025–2029), with an evaluation scheduled for 2028/29. Improving Services Despite the challenges, police reported a strong showing in training and enforcement efforts. 'From 1 April 2024 to 31 December 2025, 8 069 members received proactive GBV training, while 19 263 received reactive training, far exceeding the targets of 4 727 and 11,983 respectively,' the police said in their presentation. Of the country's 1 165 police stations, 1 070 have designated victim-friendly rooms (VFRs), leaving 95 stations to rely on alternative spaces. 'We completed 18 VFRs during the 2024/25 financial year and plan to add another seven in the current year,' Saps told MPs. All provinces scored 100% in meeting the performance criteria for victim-friendly services, offering some reassurance that victims are receiving adequate care where facilities are available. ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose Investigation and Response Saps reported a detection rate of 69.84% for crimes against women (above the 68.13% target) and 63.32% for crimes against children (exceeding the 61.99% target). The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit also grew by 164 members over the past year. First responders have been trained in sexual offences (1 509 officers) and crime scene response (855 officers), strengthening frontline support. ALSO READ: GBV: Convicted Western Cape rapist on the loose a 'direct threat to women's safety' Room for Improvement However, the management of service complaints still has gaps. 'Out of 223 GBVF-related complaints received, only 175 (78.5%) were finalised within the 14-working-day window,' the report noted. Saps is also participating in intersectoral efforts to monitor femicide and is contributing monthly reports to the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. 'Action plans will be reviewed annually between February and March to incorporate emerging priorities,' police said, as they reaffirmed their commitment to ending GBV and femicide. NOW READ: 'Declare Limpopo a GBV disaster zone' – ANCWL
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Is the DA's push for policing power devolution justified?
The debate surrounding the devolution of policing powers reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Image: Ian Cameron/Facebook/Supplied The DA's repeated call for the devolution of policing powers is facing sharp scrutiny with one political analyst labelling it a copout. The debate surrounding devolution reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron (DA), attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Cameron posted on social media about his ride-along which he undertook with fellow DA MPs Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, and how they joined the Special Operations team of the City of Cape Town's metro police in Manenberg and surrounds on Friday. 'I am a firm believer that they should have more policing powers. Why wouldn't we allow this brilliant group of people to be able to do more? Just imagine if we could do something like ballistic testing and gang violence investigation, decentralised? The impact for communities that suffer under the scourge of violence would be significant,' Cameron said. '...It's so exciting to see the work that they do, along with law enforcement, and of course, the renowned LEAP programme. 'I want to zoom in on Metro (Police), this past week I brought a motion in Parliament to ask once again that the Minister of Police (Senzo Mchunu) please give more policing power to Metro Police. 'It is significant because (they) not only do incredible work on the ground, but if they have more policing power, they could actually put more people behind bars, and keep them there… 'Imagine if they could do more investigations, or if they could do some of the ballistic testing? The legislation already allows for this,' Cameron said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In another post, Cameron elaborated that municipal officers may currently arrest and confiscate weapons but cannot build court-ready case dockets. He said that function is reserved for SAPS, 'where backlogs, skill shortages, and delays continue to cause severe disruptions in justice being served, if at all.' 'The Police Minister has the power to change this immediately. Under the SAPS Act, he can devolve investigative functions to competent municipal authorities via regulation. He has the legal authority.' In response to Cameron's remarks Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: 'The ministry's focus is on ensuring that the high levels of crime in the country are reduced. A number of enablers have been identified by the ministry, which will be used to fight crime. 'Furthermore, following the National Policing Summit which was convened in April, various measures will be implemented that will usher in a new type of policing - one that is effective, efficient, responsive and professional.' However, political analyst Sanusha Naidu explained that this issue has been an ongoing gripe for the DA regarding what they can and cannot do under the safety and security portfolios. Naidu said that the party is seeking to mimic what the National Party wanted to do during the negotiation for the transition into democracy, 'in other words, what they want is not a unity state, but rather a devolved set of powers that are defined along the lines of a federal state'. '...This discussion around a unity state versus a federal state is that you can't go back (to when the Constitution was being made) and ask the question, as you have a Constitution that defines powers,' Naidu said. 'You have a Constitution that essentially enables for a unity state. 'The Western Cape is a push-and-pull factor of tension. It is constantly in an elasticity of tension, as you have that one issue of 'look at us, we've done so well'... The DA has used the idea that it is the ruling party in the Western Cape to push a narrative that 'we have a better handle on how to govern', now the reason why they are able to push that is because…everywhere else is broken. 'So if you look at what the DA tried to do in Gauteng, and Eastern Cape when Athol Trollip was part of the DA… they are constantly trying to push the narrative that 'we govern better' but what they don't tell you is that the governing comes from such a low base in comparison to the rest of the country.' 'When you think about the optics and narrative when you live in the City of Cape Town, you can see the contradictions of that narrative… It is a complete copout to say that you can't address the issue because we don't have the powers to do so. It is easy. 'However, let's make the assumption that we give you the powers to do so, will you be able to do it, and I think that they are hiding behind this argument… There is no tried and tested argument because we don't have a benchmark for them to try it,' Naidu said. 'There is no benchmark to say, 'hang on, is there another method or methodology or another intervention you can make?' If you are still waiting for these powers to be devolved, you have to go back to the Constitution." Cape Argus
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Is the DA's call for policing power devolution just a cop-out?
The debate surrounding the devolution of policing powers reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Image: Ian Cameron/Facebook/Supplied The DA's repeated call for the devolution of policing powers is facing sharp scrutiny with one political analyst labelling it a copout. The debate surrounding devolution reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron (DA), attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Cameron posted on social media about his ride-along which he undertook with fellow DA MPs Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, and how they joined the Special Operations team of the City of Cape Town's metro police in Manenberg and surrounds on Friday. 'I am a firm believer that they should have more policing powers. Why wouldn't we allow this brilliant group of people to be able to do more? Just imagine if we could do something like ballistic testing and gang violence investigation, decentralised? The impact for communities that suffer under the scourge of violence would be significant,' Cameron said. '...It's so exciting to see the work that they do, along with law enforcement, and of course, the renowned LEAP programme. 'I want to zoom in on Metro (Police), this past week I brought a motion in Parliament to ask once again that the Minister of Police (Senzo Mchunu) please give more policing power to Metro Police. 'It is significant because (they) not only do incredible work on the ground, but if they have more policing power, they could actually put more people behind bars, and keep them there… 'Imagine if they could do more investigations, or if they could do some of the ballistic testing? The legislation already allows for this,' Cameron said. In another post, Cameron elaborated that municipal officers may currently arrest and confiscate weapons but cannot build court-ready case dockets. He said that function is reserved for SAPS, 'where backlogs, skill shortages, and delays continue to cause severe disruptions in justice being served, if at all.' 'The Police Minister has the power to change this immediately. Under the SAPS Act, he can devolve investigative functions to competent municipal authorities via regulation. He has the legal authority.' In response to Cameron's remarks Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: 'The ministry's focus is on ensuring that the high levels of crime in the country are reduced. A number of enablers have been identified by the ministry, which will be used to fight crime. 'Furthermore, following the National Policing Summit which was convened in April, various measures will be implemented that will usher in a new type of policing - one that is effective, efficient, responsive and professional.' However, political analyst Sanusha Naidu explained that this issue has been an ongoing gripe for the DA regarding what they can and cannot do under the safety and security portfolios. Naidu said that the party is seeking to mimic what the National Party wanted to do during the negotiation for the transition into democracy, 'in other words, what they want is not a unity state, but rather a devolved set of powers that are defined along the lines of a federal state'. '...This discussion around a unity state versus a federal state is that you can't go back (to when the Constitution was being made) and ask the question, as you have a Constitution that defines powers,' Naidu said. 'You have a Constitution that essentially enables for a unity state. 'The Western Cape is a push-and-pull factor of tension. It is constantly in an elasticity of tension, as you have that one issue of 'look at us, we've done so well'... The DA has used the idea that it is the ruling party in the Western Cape to push a narrative that 'we have a better handle on how to govern', now the reason why they are able to push that is because…everywhere else is broken. 'So if you look at what the DA tried to do in Gauteng, and Eastern Cape when Athol Trollip was part of the DA… they are constantly trying to push the narrative that 'we govern better' but what they don't tell you is that the governing comes from such a low base in comparison to the rest of the country.' 'When you think about the optics and narrative when you live in the City of Cape Town, you can see the contradictions of that narrative… It is a complete copout to say that you can't address the issue because we don't have the powers to do so. It is easy. 'However, let's make the assumption that we give you the powers to do so, will you be able to do it, and I think that they are hiding behind this argument… There is no tried and tested argument because we don't have a benchmark for them to try it,' Naidu said. 'There is no benchmark to say, 'hang on, is there another method or methodology or another intervention you can make?' If you are still waiting for these powers to be devolved, you have to go back to the Constitution." [email protected]
