Cape Town - The portfolio committee on police will this week ask Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko to appear before it to explain the suspension as well as reports that Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride will be arrested for the illegal renditions of Zimbabweans.
Nhleko’s office confirmed on Sunday that he will table a report on the renditions, which cost Hawks chief Anwa Dramat his job in March, but the portfolio committee wants more answers from Nhleko.
Portfolio committee chairman Francois Beukman, an ANC MP, also confirmed on Sunday that they would send an invitation to Nhleko to appear before them on this issue.
At its meeting a few days ago the committee already made up its mind that Nhleko would have to appear before it on the suspension of McBride.
This followed an earlier request by McBride to make his case before MPs, prior to his suspension in March.
But this was refused by the portfolio committee as the Dramat matter was still pending. However, the departure of Dramat has not opened a way for McBride to brief MPs because he is now on suspension.
Beukman said they wanted Nhleko to come before Parliament and address this issue.
“We indicated last week at our meeting that it would not be appropriate for the acting head of Ipid Israel Kgamanyane to brief us because he is the acting head,” said Beukman. Kgamanyane would not have knowledge and detailed information on the suspension, he said.
“Our view as the committee is that it would be appropriate for the minister to brief us on the progress of the investigation that was done,” he said.
The latest report by an independent law firm, on McBride’s arrest, would be addressed at that meeting.
The committee will send the letter to Nhleko this week, in time before the police table their budget this month.
It was reported yesterday that a report by an independent law firm has recommended that McBride be arrested for his role in the illegal renditions saga.
McBride has been fingered for changing the report linking Dramat to the illegal rendition of Zimbabweans in 2010.
McBride has since been put on suspension pending the finalisation of an investigation into his role.
Dramat has quit his job.
Beukman said they were looking forward to getting answers from the minister as the committee has not received detailed facts on the suspension of McBride.
Nhleko was in Parliament a few months ago where he gave a briefing to the committee on the suspension of Dramat at the time.
This was before Dramat’s exit from the Hawks.
Beukman did not give the date for the meeting with Nhleko, but said this would be in the coming days.
Political Bureau