IPID empowers Edenvale with information
Some community members expressed the belief that the IPID does not serve the public but protects the police.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate visited Edenvale on September 5.
The visit was in response to allegations of police brutality in Edenvale.
IPID Deputy Director of Gauteng, Mr Robbie Raburabu, explained the IPID’s functions to community members.
The IPID mandate is to conduct independent and impartial investigations into crimes committed by members of the South Africa Police Service and municipal police services.
The directorate investigates deaths in police custody, death as a result of police actions and complaints about police corruption, discharge of an official firearm by any police officer, rape by a police officer, including off-duty officers, rape while in police custody and torture or assault by a police officer.
The IPID’s national spokesperson, Ms Grace Langa, told community members that the IPID only deals with criminal matters and not service delivery issues.
“If a police officer was rude or took a long time to help you, that is a service delivery issue,” said Ms Langa.
She said at some police stations, the IPID receives support when conducting investigations. At some police stations they don’t, and it depends on whether cases are reported.
“It always goes back to the issue of reporting cases. Following investigations, the IPID can only make recommendations but cannot make the final decision,” she said.
Some community members expressed the belief that the IPID does not serve the public but protects the police.
DA Member of Parliament, MP Mike Waters, said he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the IPID in executing its duties.
“Making recommendations that will be ignored every time you make them, is pointless,” said MP Waters.
Mr Raburabu encouraged the community to open cases with the IPID.
Since Saturday’s meeting, Mr Raburabu said no complaints were lodged with the IPID on the day.
“It is still only the cases that have already been reported on by the media,” he said.
“We only received inquiries about arrests made by the police some time ago. These were not within our mandate to answer,” he said.
