The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) will be hosting a policing oversight conference on 26-29 January 2004, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, South Africa. The aforementioned conference will also be one of the activities marking the 10th Anniversary of democracy and freedom.

The purpose and objective of the conference is to advocate and lobby for external policing oversight, as well as the establishment of a chapter for policing oversight, in Africa.

We will be lobbying the concept of policing oversight and advantages, challenges and the importance of establishing policing oversight mechanisms. Discussions would revolve around the continued engagement of our counterparts throughout the continent to promote the concept of policing oversight as well as the promotion of proper police conduct and to lobby support of the establishment of policing oversight bodies in other countries in Africa. Discussions will also revolve around the promotion of a human rights ethic in policing. We have invited international practitioners from different organs who will share their experiences in police accountability.

Since the ICD was established merely three years into the new democracy in April 1997, with the object of ensuring that the abuses perpetrated by the police during the apartheid government are never again revisited on our people, we are regarded as pioneers in this field, internationally and continentally, more so because of our own independent investigations. As the ICD we strongly believe that policing oversight is a must in a democratic society.

The Minister for Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, will open the conference. The National Commissioner of the SAPS, Jackie Selebi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Bulelani Ngcuka, Public Protector, Laurence Mushwana, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Jody Kolapen, and Gauteng MEC for Safety and Liaison, Nomvula Mokonyane, will address the conference on the first day.

Country presentations will be made by representatives from amongst others Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, Zambia, Lesotho, Nigeria, Canada.