South Africa – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally ordered the implementation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Act of 2024 and the implementation of the South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act of 2014.
These two major reforms have been simultaneously enacted, bringing significant changes to the country’s policing system and language regulation.
Firstly, the law covers the strengthening of the 2019 amendments, which have been in force since November 2024 granting Congress greater authority over ministerial decisions affecting the IPID’s executive director.
The IPID is mandated to investigate allegations of rape involving members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) or municipal police, as well as any deaths caused by these officers, whether on or off duty.
The enactment of these laws comes at a difficult time for the SAPS, following serious corruption allegations made in July by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Meanwhile, the President also announced the implementation of the South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, 2014, alongside the policing reforms.
The law covers regulating language practice, controlling the accreditation and registration of language practitioners, developing rules to govern their conduct, and establishing procedures to ensure monitoring and compliance.
It is still unclear why the responsible government officials took nearly 11 years to put the Act into operation.—Chelsea Victoriano, Contributor