Disbelief over his Ipid head nomination
Police minister’s recommendation runs into barrage of criticism
ROGUE police officers beware – a new sheriff might be about to step into town.
If Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has his way, former Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride will be heading the police watchdog – the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) – from early next year.
Having sifted through candidates and shortlisted nine for interviews, Mthethwa’s office and the cabinet felt McBride was qualified to head the unit that has been without an executive director since the resignation of Francois Beukman last August.
“Mr McBride was the successful candidate following the shortlisting, interviewing process as well as cabinet’s endorsement. We believe his appointment as the head of Ipid will help this important institution achieve its mandate,” said Mthethwa.
But the final decision rests with the portfolio committee on police, which has 31 days to authorise the appointment.
Committee chairwoman Annelize van Wyk said yesterday the authorisation would be made only early next year as Parliament rises today and will still be on recess in 31 days.
”We have already asked the (committee) secretary to write to Mthethwa inviting him to appear before the committee with a list of candidates and motivation for his recommendation. It will only happen when Parliament returns in January,” she said.
Contacted yesterday, McBride said: “I’ve got no comment”.
Police spokesman Zweli Mnisi said McBride declined to divulge names of other candidates interviewed.
Opposition party MPs who sit on the police portfolio committee said they would “vehemently” oppose McBride’s appointment as his past was too tainted.
“I would never vote for him to head such an important institution. His past is too murky,” said DA spokeswoman on police Dianne Kohler Barnard.
“We need a proper person with a fantastic CV. McBride has in the past been involved in numerous scandals and does not appear to be suitable,” she said, adding that if the ANC MPs who are the majority in the portfolio committee voted for McBride, she would appeal against the vote.
“For now I have to do some research to see how else we can prevent this. The cabinet recommended McBride because he is a member of the ANC,” she said.
IFP police spokesman Velaphi Ndlovu said Ipid should be led by a “free of scandal” person.
“Anyone who is about to be employed as Ipid head must have a proven track record of performance and in no way have been involved in any corrupt activities. The minister must appoint an independent body to be in charge of shortlisting, interviewing and making recommendations,” he said.
FF Plus police spokesman Pieter Groenewald said McBride would not eradicate police corruption.
“McBride is controversial and definitely not suitable for the position. The public should be able to trust the head of Ipid because a lot of complaints are against the SAPS. The Ekurhuleni metro council did not even trust McBride and suspended him,” said Groenewald.
Unions representing police had divided views, with the South African Police Union (Sapu) giving Mthethwa’s decision the thumbs down and the Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru) supporting it.
Sapu secretary-general Oscar Skommere said: “We were looking for a person with good credentials. It came as a shock to learn that McBride had been recommended. He will be a burden to Ipid.”
Popcru spokeswoman Theto Mahlakoana said: “McBride has a long record as a law enforcement officer and we believe he will be able to carry out the mandate of the police watch body (sic) with excellence.”
Mnisi said the Police Ministry took into consideration that McBride had no convictions or pending court cases against him.