IMHO, I am against the notion that giving the IG more powers will automatically solve our security issues. They have had those powers for long but we kept on crying about our police force...The best solution would be for the Kavulundi's commission to work very well in harmony with IG n deputies. Why?
1. Its obvious that some of the transfers, firing and such others have not ALWAYS been fair or in the best interest of the police service and the country. We know of officers who have been "punished" by being taken to so called "remote areas" on the basis of blowing the whistle or such other reasons. With a working n functional relationship in the police commission, such officers have a hearing.
2. Who will check the IG? If all powers are given to IG, who will check him? This is not about who is the IG today. Any mad man/woman may get into that position in future and do things that can only be possible in a movie. With a working commission, such is sorted.
3. If the commission is working and competent, the IG too have a place to explain his decisions. I would expect the commission to be efficient in a way that empowers the IG to effectively make decisions that are in the interest of the country.
The answer lies not in the doing away with the commission or transferring powers, it lies in making it efficient and improving on its working relationship with the IG n his deputies. The commission shud be busy also lobbying for better working conditions for the police while the IG shud be busy gathering security intelligence and fighting crime.