Two long-awaited laws have officially come into effect in South Africa, ushering in major reforms in the areas of police oversight and language policy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has gazetted the commencement of the 2024 Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Act, with the exception of five sections, and the 2014 South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, which has now been operationalised after an 11-year delay.
IPID Reform Strengthens Police Accountability
The new IPID Amendment Act seeks to implement critical aspects of the 2016 Constitutional Court McBride ruling, which aimed to guarantee the institutional and operational independence of the directorate.
The Act enhances parliamentary oversight and removes avenues for political interference, especially in decisions relating to the IPID’s executive leadership.
Key provisions now in effect include:
- IPID is now mandated to investigate all allegations of rape and deaths involving SAPS and municipal police, regardless of whether officers were on or off duty.
- The amendments close legal loopholes and bring the law in line with Constitutional Court directives demanding greater transparency and independence in police oversight.
The new policing law arrives during a period of mounting controversy within the South African Police Service.
In July, former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures, implicating Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in attempts to obstruct investigations.
President Ramaphosa responded by:
- Placing Mchunu on special leave,
- Appointing Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Police Minister,
- And launching a special inquiry into alleged police corruption, led by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The commission, however, has been delayed due to logistical issues involving the procurement of necessary infrastructure.
Language Practitioners’ Council Finally Established
Also now in effect is the 2014 South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, formally creating the South African Language Practitioners’ Council as a juristic body.
The Council will:
- Regulate and accredit language practitioners,
- Enforce ethical and professional conduct standards,
- And support the government’s constitutional obligations around multilingualism and linguistic inclusion.
The law is expected to promote equal access to information, education, and public services by strengthening the language services sector.Legal analysts and civil society organisations have welcomed the implementation, though concerns remain over the 11-year delay in enacting the Act.
Broader Significance
These legislative developments underscore South Africa’s efforts to address structural issues in governance and improve accessibility and accountability across public institutions.
While the long delays have drawn criticism, both reforms are seen as vital steps toward strengthening democracy, protecting vulnerable communities, and building public trust in government systems.
Are you likely to be impacted by either of these two new laws?
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