McBride’s nomination to head Ipid raise some eyebrows
Opposition parties in Parliament reacted with shock to news that former Ekurhuleni Metro Police chief, Robert McBride, has been nominated to head the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
They vowed to vehemently oppose his appointment.
Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa nominated McBride as a candidate to occupy the position of director of the IPID.
McBride left the EMPD following a drunken driving charge in 2006, of which he was found guilty and sentenced to five years.
He was, however, acquitted in April this year.
The Ipid is responsible for conducting oversight on the SAPS and Metro Police officers.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the Ipid should not be led by such a “controversial figure”.
DA’s Shadow Minister of Police Dianne Kohler Barnard said that McBride has, in the past, been involved in “numerous scandals” and does not appear to be suitable for the position.
“Amongst other duties, the executive director of Ipid is required to manage finances, appoint provincial heads and staff and provide guidelines regarding the investigation and management of cases by officials,” she added.
“The executive director must be suitably qualified for the position, not have previous convictions, and be a person of integrity.”
Kohler Barnard said the DA will vehemently oppose this appointment in parliament.
Temba Gubula, of the Parliamentary Communication Services, said the Portfolio Committee on Police confirmed receipt of McBride’s referral letter, which nominates him as a candidate to occupy the position.
“A letter inviting Minister Nathi Mthethwa to formally proffer his preferred candidate has already been sent to him,” said Gubula.
Gubula added that the meeting to proffer McBride to the committee will take place on January 28, next year, and that the meeting will accord Mthethwa an opportunity to table McBride’s CV, after which the committee will deliberate on his candidacy.
