This Act removes the power to dismiss the IPID head from the Minister of Police, and places it in the hands of the Portfolio Committee on Police.

"This Act provides the necessary checks and balances within the police and IPID environment," said Joemat-Pettersson.

The amendment was necessitated by a Constitutional Court ruling that declared some sections of the IPID Act as inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid to the extent that they authorise the Minister of Police to suspend, and take any disciplinary steps pursuant to suspend or remove from office, the executive director of IPID.

He has already written to Joemat-Pettersson with a proposal to limit the Minister of Police's powers to appoint the IPID head.

IPID is currently without an executive director, as Minister of Police Bheki Cele failed to recommend a candidate to the committee within the legally required period of 12 months after the previous head had left office.