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Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act, 2011 (Act No. 1 of 2011)

Regulations for the operation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate

6. Investigation of discharge of official firearm

 

(1) The discharge of an official firearm by a member of the South African Police Service or the Municipal Police Services, as the case may be, must be investigated in accordance with this regulation.

 

(2) The Executive Director or the relevant provincial head, as the case may be, must designate an investigator to investigate a complaint that a member of the South African Police Service or the Municipal Police Services has discharged an official firearm, irrespective of whether such member had been on or off duty and whether any injury has been sustained as a result of such discharge or not.

 

(3) An investigator designated in terms of sub-regulation (2) must conduct a preliminary investigation, to be finalised within a reasonable period, which period may not exceed 30 days after designation, into the discharge of an official firearm to enable the Executive Director or the relevant provincial head, as the case may be, to determine whether a full investigation is warranted or not.

 

(4) If the Executive Director or relevant provincial head, as the case may be, determines that a full investigation is warranted, the investigator must as soon as is practicable, but within 24 hours after determination—
(a) if a police docket has been opened, take over the docket and conduct all outstanding investigations, and if such docket has not been opened, ensure that it is opened during any stage of the investigation;
(b) identify and record particulars of all potential witnesses for purposes of interviewing them;
(c) collect or ensure the collection, by forensic experts, of exhibits for processing by the Forensic Science Laboratory or other appropriate institution and ensure the proper registration, handling, transportation and disposal of exhibits, if this had not yet been done;
(d) visit all identified witnesses for purposes of obtaining statements that may assist in the investigation; and
(e) after collecting all evidence, statements, technical and expert reports, if applicable, submit a final report on the investigation to the Executive Director or the relevant provincial head, as the case may be, containing recommendations regarding further action, which may include disciplinary measures to be taken against a member of the South African Police Service or the Municipal Police Services or criminal prosecution of such member.

 

(5) A full investigation contemplated in this regulation must be finalised within a reasonable period, which period may not exceed 90 days after designation, failing which the investigator must include reasons for failure to comply with this period in the report contemplated in paragraph (e) of sub-regulation (4).

 

(6) An investigator designated to do an investigation in terms of this regulation must inform the complainant in writing of the progress made with the investigation at least once per calendar month.

 

(7) Regulation 4(4) and (5) applies with such changes as may be required by the context to the arrest of a person in terms of this regulation.