Cape Town - A Parliamentary committee wants Police Minister Bheki Cele to ask for an extension to appoint the head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) after the post has not been filled within a year.
The position became vacant after Robert McBride's contract was not renewed by the national legislature following a recommendation and representations made to the police portfolio committee by Cele and McBride.
At the time there was a breakdown of trust and in the working relationship between the two, among other things.
Ipid chief finance officer Victor Senna has since been acting as the executive director for the police watchdog.
Although Cele had promised that the post would be filled by September last year, the deadline has not been met.
On Thursday, committee chairperson Tina Joemat-Petterson said the Ipid Act stated that the minister should fill in a vacancy within a reasonable period of time, not exceeding one year.
The contract of McBride ended on February 28, 2019.
"The portfolio committee on police has resolved that the Minister of Police will have to write to the Speaker of the National Assembly to request an extension of the timelines on the appointment of the executive director of the Ipid," Joemat-Petterson said.
"The committee is of the view that a fit and proper person must be appointed to head such a critical institution, as it serves as watchdog over the South African Police Service."
She also said the committee was still awaiting the completion of the appointment process by the minister.
"Nonetheless, the committee has urged the Minister to speed up the process of head-hunting and nominating a credible candidate so that the committee and Parliament can consider and confirm or reject the nomination," Joemat-Petterson said.