Helen Suzman Foundation, Corruption Watch apply to step in to Ipid court battle
Civil society organisations Corruption Watch and The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) have applied to be admitted as friends of the court (amicus curiae) in proceedings instituted by the executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Robert McBride, against Minister of Police Bheki Cele.
McBride has filed an urgent application asking the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to declare Cele's decision not to renew his appointment as IPID executive director as "unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid".
In an affidavit, HSF director Francis Antonie states that the foundation has an interest in the proceedings "owing to the fact that IPID is an indispensable body in the fight against, inter alia, corruption against organised crime".
Antonie says their submission will provide critical insight into why the decision to renew a term of office should not be taken by any "political actor".
"This is necessary to ensure adequate protection of the structural, operational and institutional independence of IPID against political, executive and other interference…