Johannesburg – Not enough candidates meet the requirements to fill senior job vacancies in the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.

“We recognise the importance of a permanent head of IPID as well as the provincial heads,” he said in a statement.

“However, part of the delay why we could not finalise the appointment of provincial heads… was the fact that some of potential candidates did not meet some of the requirements.

“In fact, one of the first priorities of the head of IPID would be to put in place a management structure at the provincial level through the filling of these posts,” Mthethwa said.

The post of IPID head was advertised publicly in July.

The short-listed candidates were found not suitable for the position.

“We are cautious not to fill the vacancies willy-nilly or to meet a deadline without prior analysis including conducting the necessary competency tests, checks and balances,” Mthethwa said.

A second phase of interviews for the position took place in Pretoria last week.

Once a suitable candidate was found, Cabinet would still have to deliberate and approve the appointment.

– SAPA