Ian Cameron (activist)

Last updated
Ian Cameron
Born
Kempton Park, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
EducationPolice Science, UNISA; Certificate in Local Government, University of Pretoria
Occupation(s)Director of Community Safety, Activist
Employer Action Society (former)
Known forAdvocacy for victims of violent crime, criticism of police minister Bheki Cele

Ian Cameron is a South African civic activist and the Director of Community Safety at Action Society, a non-profit organization focused on assisting victims of violent or hate crimes who cannot afford legal counsel. [1]

Contents

Action Society was officially opened in 2021, primarily focusing on working for reform in the justice system, especially regarding gender-based violence. [2]

Early life and education

Cameron was born in Kempton Park and moved to the UK with his family when he was six. He studied Police Science at UNISA and has completed courses at the North-West University, the New York Fire Department, the Montana Department of Forestry, and earned a certificate in Local Government through the University of Pretoria. [3]

Career

Prior to his role at Action Society, Cameron worked for AfriForum for 10 years, focusing on supporting victims of farm attacks. [4] The organization advocates for less dependency on the government in combating crime. [5]

In 2023 Cameron criticised police minister Bheki Cele. [6] [7] He gained attention after an incident where he was removed from a community policing engagement meeting by Cele in Gugulethu. [8]

In the same month, Cameron and Action Society were part of public participation processes regarding proposed legislation. [9] The organization has submitted comments on various amendment bills, including the Gender-Based Violence Amendment Bills, [10] the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, [11] and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill. [12]

In October 2023 Cameron was alleged to have made defamatory comments against several black professionals, including Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. Cameron accused them of corruption in response to a speaking engagement event poster shared on social media. Cameron subsequently apologized, clarifying that he was unaware of Professor Phakeng's specific inclusion in the poster and that his comments were directed at other individuals on the poster with a history of alleged corrupt activities. [13]

Parliamentary Career

Following the 2024 general elections in South Africa, Cameron was elected a member of parliament for the Democratic Alliance. A 12-year-old video of Cameron wearing blackface resurfaced, sparking public outrage on social media. [14] [15]

On 10 July 2024, Cameron was appointed chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on police. [16] [17]

Move to the Democratic Alliance

In March 2024, Ian Cameron transitioned from his role at Action Society to join the Democratic Alliance (DA) with intentions of potentially securing a parliamentary seat. Cameron's move garnered attention within political circles and was reported in various media outlets, including the Cape Argus [18] and IOL News . [19] Known for his advocacy against crime and his previous confrontations with Police Minister Bheki Cele, Cameron's decision to align with the DA signals a notable shift in his career trajectory.

Personal life

Cameron is married and is a father. He supports efforts aimed at reducing the rate of violent rapes and murders, especially against children, in South Africa. [20] [21]

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References

  1. ↑ Patrick, Alex (7 July 2022). "Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele's new nemesis?". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Evil monsters are hunting our children – Ian Cameron". BizNews. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Alex Patrick. "Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele's new nemesis?". Times Live. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Hanlie Retief (26 July 2020). "Hanlie Retief gesels met Ian Cameron". Rapport. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Alex Patrick. "Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele's new nemesis?". Times Live. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. ↑ Unathi Nkanjeni (9 March 2023). "Petition calling for Bheki Cele to be axed as police minister gets support". BusinessDay. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Marvin Charles. "Lobby group to lay formal complaint against Cele after member removed from public meeting on crime". News24. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  8. ↑ Mtumbu, Xolile (13 July 2022). "Meet Ian Cameron, the man who wants to take down Bheki Cele". IOL. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Rall, Se-Anne (8 September 2023). "From watchdog to bouncer: Action Society says Bill will render Ipid toothless in the fight against misconduct, abuse of power". IOL. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Action Society's Submissions on the Gender Based Violence Amendment Bills". Action Society. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "Action Society's Submissions on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill [B25-2021]". Action Society. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Action Society's Submissions on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023]" (PDF). Action Society. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Action Society leader Ian Cameron forced to apologise to Prof Phakeng for defamatory comments". IOL. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Palm, Roscoe (21 June 2024). "Not Renaldo Gouws: Ian Cameron, DA MP's racist past comes back to haunt him for blackface protest". IOL. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  15. ↑ Booysen, Chevon (24 June 2024). "New DA MPs should be 'kicked out' of party for 'bringing it into disrepute,' – analyst". Cape Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  16. ↑ Nkadimeng, Innocentia (11 July 2024). "'We have a big task,' police minister Mchunu tells Ian Cameron as he takes on parliament chair role". TimesLIVE.
  17. ↑ Singh, Orrin. "DA MP Cameron elected to chair Parliament's committee on police". EWN. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  18. ↑ Zolani Sinxo (5 March 2024). "Ian Cameron heading to Parliament on DA ticket". Cape Argus.
  19. ↑ Se-Anne Rall (4 March 2024). "Ian Cameron leaves Action Society for Democratic Alliance". IOL News.
  20. ↑ Alex Patrick. "Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele's new nemesis?". Times Live. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  21. ↑ Hanlie Retief (26 July 2020). "Hanlie Retief gesels met Ian Cameron". Rapport. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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