It is unacceptable and not in the public’s best interest to disband the South African Police Service (SAPS) Inspectorate Division, and the FF Plus insists that specific reasons for the decision be provided.
According to media reports this week, the National Police Commissioner, Gen. Fannie Masemola, and the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, decided to dissolve the Inspectorate. No reasons for the drastic step were provided.
The main purpose of the Inspectorate is to ensure accountability and public faith in the police. The Inspectorate also plays a pivotal role in investigating internal irregularities and recommending suitable action.
It is vitally important in South Africa seeing as there is a serious breakdown of trust between the public and the police due to, among other things, a high incidence of crime.
The reasons for the disbandment will determine whether or not this is a wise decision. If it is dismantled, the hand of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will need to be strengthened with additional manpower, finances and other resources to enable it to take over the Inspectorate’s role.
As it stands, a lack of resources is already keeping IPID from doing its own work properly. Dismantling the Inspectorate will put even more pressure on IPID.
The decision is clearly not in the interest of the public or crime prevention and the police’s top management needs to provide clarity on the matter as soon as possible.
