ANC MPs stand firm on McBride term non-renewal
DA pushes for changes to Ipid legislation
THE ANC was putting its final nail in the coffin of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride, with its MPs pushing for the non-renewal of his term of office.
In the drafting of the report yesterday, ANC MPs said they did not believe McBride should stay on in the job after he made some blunders.
They also said his security clearance had lapsed and the State Security Agency confirmed this in a letter yesterday.
The ANC also accused McBride of not coming clean about his contract coming to an end.
But the Helen Suzman Foundation has warned Parliament that it will take the issue to court.
The application by the foundation to the high court and Constitutional Court came as McBride’s contract expires today.
The portfolio committee on police said yesterday that it was prepared to defend itself against any litigation.
It said it was acting within its powers on the matter.
The chairperson of the committee, Francois Beukman, said it had been indicated to them by interested parties that their decision would be taken on review.
“That has been spelled out to us. We accept that. However, we must ensure we adhere to our own rules,” said Beukman.
During discussions on the report, the DA pushed for amendments to the Ipid Act to allow for a clear process to be followed in the appointment and renewing of the contract of the Ipid head.
Zakhele Mbhele, of the DA, said that this would clarify the roles of Parliament and the minister of police.
“The term must be extended to allow for the non-renewable term of seven years,” said Mbhele.
Beukman said they would consider this today as part of the recommendations.
The term of office for the Ipid head is five years and is renewable, and this is the crux of the fight between McBride and Police Minister Bheki Cele.
The term of office for the national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) is 10 years and it is non-renewable.
However, in the past few years no NDPP had completed their term of office.
The term of office for the public protector is non-renewable for seven years.
All public protectors have completed their terms of office, and Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the first public protector to face a motion in Parliament to remove her.
But the DA’s motion was defeated by the ANC and EFF this week.