Robert McBride to appear before Ad Hoc Committee

Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride.

Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride is expected to appear before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations of criminal infiltration, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system on Tuesday morning.

McBride’s testimony is expected to focus on his central role in some of the most contentious investigations into alleged corruption within the South African Police Service.

He worked closely with private investigator Paul O’Sullivan on high-profile cases involving senior police officials, including the controversial investigation into former Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

His evidence is expected to shed light on allegations of political pressure, interference in investigations and the collapse of corruption cases within the police service, issues that lie at the heart of the committee’s mandate.

McBride’s appearance also comes amid mounting pressure on the committee to compel O’Sullivan to testify in person, as MPs seek to piece together the relationships, decisions and alleged cover-ups that have shaped the current crisis facing policing and oversight institutions.

Contempt of Parliament

The African National Congress (ANC) has accused O’ Sullivan of contempt of Parliament after he wrote to the committee asking to testify virtually.

O’ Sullivan raised concerns about his security.

The committee also says he has dictated which political parties serving before the committee he will recognise.

In a letter, O’Sullivan says he does not want to engage with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Action SA.

His request to testify virtually has been rejected, and the committee has resolved to subpoena him.

ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli says, “We are dealing with an individual who is treating Parliament with a serious contempt and we don’t believe that as the ANC we should allow a private citizen to undermine Parliament of the republic to that extent, and we are very convinced that the position we adopted earlier on as the committee shall be sustained, the man to be called physically to explain his role in the SAPS, we not accepting any excuse to murder and all the nonsense.”

-Reporting by Mkhokheli Bandla and Lulama Dlepu