Cape Town - Police Minister Nathi Nhleko confirmed on Wednesday the suspension of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride, stating it was, legally, the correct thing to do.
“Suspending McBride was, essentially, the right thing to do. The law has to be followed,” said Nhleko during the second day of the National Firearms Summit in Parliament.
Nhleko denied allegations of political motivation surrounding both the suspension of McBride and the December suspension of Hawks boss Anwa Dramat.
Dramat was alleged to have been involved with the illegal rendition of Zimbabweans in 2010, while McBride has now been suspended after an he presented a report clearing Dramat from involvement in the rendition saga. Nhleko maintains there was a conflicting report which implicated Dramat.
“Four years ago, everyone reported on the illegal rendition, people dying, and the suspected agencies involved,” said Nhleko. “Four years later, I come in and I must deal with it in my position as Minister. If there are questions about political motivations, that should have been asked four years ago.”
Nhleko stated he would not take responsibility for why McBride was not dealt with when allegations arose in 2010.
“You can’t ask me that, I just started in 2014,” he said.
Nhleko confirmed that McBride was suspended pending an investigation and added that “further matters have since arisen”.
He would not discuss those matters prior to investigations, stating they would remain allegations until further probing.
Nhleko has, following the handing over of a suspension letter to McBride on Tuesday, appointed the Free State Provincial head Israel Kgamanyane to act as national head of Ipid.
African News Agency