GroundUp Report Allegations on IPID

Background

In 2016, The former IPID employee, an Ethics officer allegedly received a whistle-blower report in respect of the “Special Closure” of investigations at the Gauteng provincial office. He then indicated that the whistle-blower alleged that the following cases were being fraudulently closed as “Special Closures” at the Gauteng Provincial office:

• Assault,
• Corruption,
• Discharge of a Firearm,
• Death as a Result of Police Action,
• Death in Police Custody, and
• Rape

It was alleged that the cases were closed without due process being followed in respect of conducting the required investigations. He forwarded a report to the office of the then Executive Director requesting that an investigation be launched into the fraudulent closure of cases at the Gauteng provincial office during the period April 2016 to July 2016 as “Special Closures”.

What was done by IPID

Upon receiving the report, our Integrity Strengthening Unit was then tasked with conducting an investigation. The scope of the investigation included: -

1. To objectively look into the high number of cases closed under “Special Closures” during the period April 2016 - July 2016 at the Gauteng Provincial and Satellite offices respectively.
2. To identify all, if any, loopholes which might exist in the procedure applied in deciding which cases should be closed using “Special Closure” route at the IPID.
3. To identify whether any individual person(s) should be held accountable for any identified transgressions of any IPID policies and/or procedures in place at the time of closing the specific investigations under the “Special Closure” notion.

Findings of the Investigation

Upon investigating the cases closed at Gauteng Province during the period April – September 2016 it was found that cases closed as Special Closure was done as per instruction received from then-Acting Provincial Head. When our Integrity Strengthening Unit investigators approached the then Acting Provincial Head of Gauteng office he refused to cooperate with investigators and did not provide his reasons for ordering these special closures. The then Acting Provincial Head has since resigned from the IPID.

What remedial actions were implemented by the IPID

Based on the outcome of the investigation conducted at Gauteng the following additional actions were undertaken by the IPID

1. The Investigation was extended to cover all provinces in order to determine the extent of the problem. The final report is expected to be provided within the next few weeks. The Acting Executive Director has directed that this process be expedited;
2. Standard Operating Procedure, has subsequently been updated to close any loopholes
3. Regular docket inspections are done by our integrity unit;
4. Internal audit unit regularly conduct audit to test integrity of reported information;

For Emphasis

1. The incident relates to the period prior to 2016;;
2. Corrective measures have been implemented since then;;
3. All responsible officials will be held accountable where it is established that any wrongdoing was done;;

IPID Achievement over the past 5 years

 Issued by Independent Police Investigative Directorate

Enquiries: Mr Sontaga SEISA,
Acting National Spokesperson for IPID.
Tel. 012 399 0092/50,
Email: sseisa@ipid.gov.za