Helen Suzman Foundation objects to nomination of a new Executive Director at IPID
The Helen Suzman Foundation is objecting to the Minister of Police’s nomination of a proposed new Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on the grounds that there is still a matter pending before the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) concerning the Minister of Police and the Portfolio Committee on Police’s decision not to renew the tenure of Robert McBride as Executive Director of IPID.
Francis Antonie, Director of the Helen Suzman Foundation, says: “Until the SCA has pronounced on its judgment, the office of the Executive Director cannot be viewed as vacant and as a result, any appointments made to this office would be unlawful. Any unlawful appointment will have dire consequences for the administration of justice and for IPID, as an important corruption fighting institution.”
The matter is likely to be set down for hearing at the SCA in November 2020.
The Minister of Police referred the proposed appointment to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police for consideration and report. Consequently, the Helen Suzman Foundation has made a formal request to Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, that any appointment process be halted until such time as the matter before the SCA has been finalised.
Please find below a copy of Helen Suzman Foundation’s letter.