Lodging a Complaint

What can the ICD do for you?

The ICD investigates the following:

• Death of persons in police custody or as a result of police action (such as shooting, assault). A person is deemed to be in police custody immediately after arrest and has had his/her rights read out. Police custody does not necessarily mean a police station.

• The involvement of SAPS and MPS members in criminal activities such as assault, theft, corruption, robbery, rape and any other criminal offences.

• Police conduct or behaviour which is prohibited in terms of the SAPS Standing Orders or Police Regulations, such as neglect of duties or failure to comply with the police Code of Conduct.

• Dissatisfaction / complaints about poor service given by the police.

• Failure by a member of the SAPS/MPS to comply with an obligation imposed in terms of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 or the National Instructions constitute misconduct as contemplated in the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995. Non compliance may include; failure to assist or protect victims of domestic violence as required by the Domestic Violence Act (DVA), death of a spouse caused by a SAPS/MPS member with whom they are involved in a domestic relationship ect.

What the ICD cannot deal with and why?

The ICD cannot deal with the following:

• Complaints of incidents which occurred before its establishment, that is before April 1997 and those which took place more than a year before they were reported to the ICD, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

• Complaints against Correctional Service staff, court officials, and members of the South African National Defence Force.

Who may lodge a complaint?

• Any person, either as a victim or a witness, may lodge a complaint.

• Non-governmental and community-based organizations.

How to lodge a complaint?

A complaint may be lodged in person, by telephone, per letter or e-mail to any ICD office.

The complainant must fill in a complaint registration form (Form 1) [PDF document] or [WORD Document], which can be obtained from any ICD office.

Click on the link to read on how will my complaint be dealt with.