He’s good, says estranged dad
THE ESTRANGED father of Robert McBride – controversially tipped to head the independent police watchdog (Ipid) – says he believes his son will do a good job.
Derrick McBride, 81, was speaking to The Star’s sister paper, The Mercury, at his Wentworth home.
McBride sr, no fan of his son, said he believed, however, he would be a success.
The two have had a tumultuous relationship and have not been on speaking terms for more than 10 years.
Initially reluctant to speak, McBride described his son as “highly dedicated” and “a strategic planner”, adding that he was “capable” of doing the job. Whoever recommended his son to the lucrative post, he said, “knows what they are doing”.
“He’ll succeed. I’m absolutely certain of that… Robert should have been the police minister by now,” said McBride.
“Everyone knows what he is capable of. I would have said ‘ask Madiba, but he is sick… ask Tokyo (Sexwale)’.”
Despite backing the pending appointment, he said: “I keep my distance from him because of our domestic affairs.
“I’m his father, yes, but I don’t intend making peace with him.”
He was, however, sympathetic about his son’s litany of run-ins with the law, saying he had been “let down” by the ANC leadership.
“Because of the person he is, Robert never got any protection… He always did his job well, but because of jealousy in the party he got no help.”
McBride, who was convicted of murder following the Magoo’s Bar bombing in Durban in 1986, was subsequently granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
He was convicted, and later acquitted on appeal, for drunk driving while he was Ekurhuleni police chief.
Nine candidates were interviewed for the Ipid job and, the minister said, he was the top candidate to lead the unit, which has been without an executive director since the resignation of Francois Beukman in August last year.
“Mr McBride was the successful candidate following the shortlisting, interviewing process as well as cabinet’s endorsement.
“We believed McBride’s appointment will help this important institution to achieve its mandate,” said Mthethwa.
The final decision rests with the portfolio committee on police, which will hear Mthethwa’s submission next year.