Johannesburg - The Gauteng chapter of the MK National Council has expressed “disgust” at the decision by Parliament’s portfolio committee on police to not renew Robert McBride’s contract as executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
The decision came after Police Minister Bheki Cele wrote to McBride earlier this year informing him that he would not be renewing his five-year contract, which is renewable for one additional term in terms of the Ipid Act.
Cele’s decision was endorsed by the committee last week, but MK National Council Gauteng spokesperson Archie Mogodiri said the decision was aimed at undermining the independence of Ipid as the Act said its head must only be removed on account of being not fit and proper.
“We are taken aback by the recklessness of the portfolio committee on police who seem to have not applied their minds but simply rubber-stamped an irrational and irresponsible recommendation from the Minister of Police,” Mogodiri said.
He accused Cele of failing to give cogent reasons for refusing to renew McBride’s contract.