The spirit of Ubuntu is the focus of South Africa’s existence and that of an organisation such as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, said in Bloemfontein.
Nhleko was the guest speaker at the IPID’s national award ceremony held outside Bloemfontein. The minister said the award function confirmed the importance of the oversight body that was necessary to monitor police conduct and the administration of justice, even at times when it seems impossible.
Nhleko said the award function further challenges prevailing perceptions held in pockets of the society whether it was necessary to check on the power that is entrusted to the police and the independence of IPID in doing its work.
The minister added that the IPID’s work rejuvenates the ordinary citizen’s hope in society, like the old lady who runs a spaza shop and whose money was stolen by notorious officers constantly demanding bribes. Also that of the woman and her small children who were constantly physically abused by the father of the home, whose perceived invincibility lay in him being an officer of the law (and above the law) and further in the hope of an ordinary resident of South Africa who was tortured and dragged by a police vehicle.
Nhleko said the stories of the IPID are good stories. What makes this directore’s work more commendable is that it is done with a staff shortage. It operates countrywide with a staff of 393, which is below the required number of 535. “Nonetheless, I must commend the IPID for achieving so much with so little thus far,” said Nhleko.
IPID’s principal investigator, Thulani Magagula from Gauteng, received the Minister’s Award for good work done. Magagula had investigated the death of the Mozambican, Mido Macia. “We condemn xenophobia and such inhumanness wholeheartedly,” Nhleko said in referring to the death of Macia. Magagula completed 62 of the 76 cases assigned to him to investigate in the period under review, securing four convictions in two cases of murder, assault GBH and attempted murder, with a total sentence of at least 120 years in the Macia case.
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