Has the Independent Police Investigative Directorate failed in holding police accountable?

Clement Manyathela interviews Thuso Keefelakae, Director of Investigations at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Listen below.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has reported an increase in the number of suspected criminals being killed, particularly in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

This follows the recent fatal shootings of 14 individuals believed to be suspects by police in separate incidents in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal last week.

Ipid is crucial in the criminal justice system, ensuring thorough investigations into police conduct.

The body is tasked with ensuring independent oversight over the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Municipal Police Services (MPS) and investigating allegations of misconduct against them.

RELATED: KZN Saps shootout, 9 suspects killed: Great police work or sheer impunity?

Due to their limited resources and capacity, Manyathela questions the effectiveness of Ipid in holding police accountable, pondering whether they have failed in their duty.

Keefelakae asserts that the prevalence of suspected criminals being killed correlates with the country's increasing crime rate.

He notes that many of these incidents involve robberies, both residential and commercial, as well as hijackings.

Often, when police respond to such situations, the criminals are armed, leading to shoot-outs.

Keefelakae mentions that upon being informed by the police, they will investigate the matter to ascertain its origins.

He reassures that if their investigation reveals police misconduct, immediate arrests will follow.

Furthermore, he explains that once their findings are compiled, the matter will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Following their investigation, Keefelakae outlines three types of recommendations:

• Positive recommendation: Indicates compliance with requirements and absence of evidence of wrongdoing by the police member.
• Negative recommendation: Signals contravention of prescribed regulations by the members as revealed by the investigation.
• Policy recommendation: Suggests reviewing policies if gaps are identified during the investigation.

"The crime trends and patterns has revealed that instances wherein the police are on the wrong side of the law, the success rate of Ipid is very high."

- Thuso Keefelakae, Director of investigations – Independent Police Investigative Directorate

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