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South Africa Enacts Police Oversight and Language Laws After Delays

PRETORIA — 14 June 2024

Two major laws aimed at strengthening police accountability and language services in South Africa have come into force, including one delayed for 11 years. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the implementation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Act and finally operationalised the 2014 Language Practitioners’ Council Act.

The IPID Amendment Act expands police oversight powers by requiring mandatory investigations of all police-involved rapes and deaths – including cases where officers are off duty (government gazette). These changes close gaps exposed in a 2016 Constitutional Court ruling advocating greater transparency.

The reforms follow high-level police corruption allegations. Former KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed in July that criminal syndicates infiltrated police structures. Mkhwanazi further alleged Police Minister Senzo Mchunu obstructed investigations, though Mchunu offers no public response to these accusations (allegations source: Mkhwanazi; no response from Mchunu available).

Ramaphosa responded by placing Minister Mchunu on special leave and appointing Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister. A corruption inquiry led by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has faced procurement-related delays (source not provided).

The South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, operational after an 11-year stall, establishes a regulating body for language practitioners. The council will enforce professional standards and advance multilingual access to government services (government gazette).

Legal analysts welcome both laws as vital for accountability and inclusion. They note the reforms, though overdue, strengthen democracy and public trust amid governance challenges.