McBride, Cele threatened with legal action

POLICE Minister Bheki Cele and Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride have until tomorrow to reinstate one of the senior investigators suspended by the cops’ watchdog.

The pair have been threatened with legal action if Cedrick Nkabinde is not reinstated to his post or transferred to SAPS under the Protection of Disclosure Act. Attorney Garry Bell confirmed yesterday that his law firm served Cele and McBride with a letter of demand.

“We have written a letter to the minister and the executive director of Ipid regarding the suspension,” Bell said.

The letter of demand comes after Nkabinde lodged a complaint with Cele over McBride’s alleged unethical conduct in the investigation of former acting commissioners Kgomotso Phahlane, Lesetja Mothiba and incumbent Khehla Sitole.

The minister has since asked Parliament to look into the allegations. In the letter, seen by Independent Media, the lawyers said Nkabinde became aware of unlawful activities in the investigation of high-ranking SAPS officers between November 2016 and April 2018.

“Our client reported this to the minister of police on April 28, 2018...” the letter reads.

Nkabinde was a member of the task team but was removed when allegations against him surfaced. Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini said they would not comment. Cele’s spokespersons, Reneilwe Serero and Nonkululeko Phokane, could not be reached for comment.