The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a parliamentary investigation into the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to assess whether it has adequate resources to hold police officers accountable.
This follows alarming findings in IPID’s 2023-2024 Annual Performance Report, which recorded over 5,000 cases of police misconduct, including deaths in custody, torture, and assault.
DA MP Lisa Schickerling emphasized the need for stricter measures within the South African Police Service (SAPS) to curb misconduct. She called for continuous psychological assessments for police recruits and serving officers, advanced training on de-escalation and human rights, and immediate suspensions and prosecutions for officers involved in serious abuses.
The DA plans to push for amendments to the SAPS Act and increased parliamentary oversight to enforce accountability within the police force.