Parties Not Happy With McBride Recommendation
Wed, 13 Nov 2013 05:30:00
GMT | By Sapa
Opposition
parties have criticised a decision to recommend former Ekurhuleni metro police
chief Robert McBride as head of the Independent Police Investigative
Directorate (Ipid).
The Democratic Alliance (DA) would "vehemently" oppose the
appointment in Parliament, MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said on Tuesday.
"Ipid is responsible for investigating police officials in
positions of authority and deals with sensitive information on a daily basis,
thus the executive director must be a person free of scandal," she said.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said it would also oppose the
appointment in Parliament.
"Anyone who [is] about to be employed as Ipid head must have a
proven track records of performance and in no way have been involved in any
corrupt activities," IFP MP Velaphi Ndlovu said.
Lobby group AfriForum said Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa should resign
for nominating McBride.
"Minister Mthethwa, with this step, clearly indicated that the
efficacy and integrity of the police is not a priority for him," said
spokesman Ian Cameron.
The Freedom Front Plus said the recommendation made a "farce and
mockery" of Mthethwa's comments that he would eradicate corruption in the
police.
"Ipid investigates corruption in the police and the head of this
institution should not be a controversial person and should have an
irreproachable character," spokesman Pieter Groenewald said.
Christian Democratic Party leader Theunis Botha said the recommendation
was "a serious challenge for being the sickest joke of the
millennium".
"This makes a mockery of all the ANC promises that the policy of
cadre deployment will be based on merit."
Mthethwa said earlier that Cabinet decided at a meeting on Wednesday to
recommend McBride as Ipid executive director.
"We believe Mr McBride's appointment as head of Ipid will help this
important institution to achieve [its]... mandate," Mthethwa said in a
statement.
He said McBride was the successful candidate following shortlisting, an
interview process, and Cabinet's endorsement.
"However, in line with the Ipid Act, the appointment can only be
finalised once Parliament has concurred."
Kohler Barnard said Mthethwa had requested that the portfolio committee
on police consider McBride's nomination in a letter published in Parliament's
announcements, tablings and committee reports on Tuesday morning.
"According to the Ipid Act, the nomination must be considered
within 30 parliamentary days."
She said the Ipid should not be led by "such a controversial
figure".
"The executive director must be suitably qualified for the position,
not have previous convictions, and be a person of integrity," she said.
The minister should appoint an independent body to be in charge of
shortlisting, interviewing and making recommendations as to which candidates
were suitable, said Ndlovu.
"[This is]... to avoid the appointment of any politically favoured,
yet incompetent individuals," he said.
Cameron said Mthethwa's decision had jeopardised the integrity of the
police.
"McBride had been previously
arrested for arms smuggling, drunk driving and defeating the ends of justice.
Now he must investigate and control corruption and malpractice in the
police..." he said.
Groenewald said Mthethwa was violating the public's trust with the
recommendation.
"McBride is extremely controversial and definitely not suitable for
the position. The public should be able to trust the head of the Ipid because a
lot of complaints are against the [SA Police Service]."
Botha said Mthethwa should be fired.
"Surely, no other minister is as determined to destroy his or her department,"
he said.
"If President [Jacob] Zuma does not now fire this bungling
minister, the ANC should not be surprised when the world likens the Cabinet to
a bunch of clowns."
McBride, who is a former MP and government official, won an appeal in
March against a conviction of drunken driving and attempting to obstruct
justice. He was arrested in 2006 after crashing his official car on the R511
following a Christmas party.
In September 2011, a Pretoria magistrate sentenced McBride to two years'
imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol and in effect three
years' imprisonment for attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
In 1998, McBride was arrested in Mozambique on charges of gun-running.
He spent seven months in a Maputo prison and was later cleared of all charges.
He claimed he was investigating illegal gun-running with the National
Intelligence Agency.
In 1999, McBride faced an assault charge after he, underworld boss Cyril
Beeka, and another man visited an escort agency and allegedly assaulted an
employee.
McBride was part of an Umkhonto we Sizwe group that bombed the Why Not
Restaurant and Magoo's Bar in Durban on June 14, 1986. Three people were killed
and 69 were injured in the explosion. He was captured and convicted, and
sentenced to death.
In 1992, he was released after his actions were classified as
politically motivated. He was later granted amnesty at the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
