McBride clearly unsuitable for IPID position

The Solidarity trade union today described the Police Portfolio Committee's support of Robert McBride's nomination as Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) as inappropriate. Solidarity is currently seeking legal advice to fight his appointment, should it be finalised.

Solidarity General Secretary Flip Buys said that it was so obvious that McBride was not a suitable candidate that one could not but speculate about the reasons compelling the ANC to proceed with this. Buys continued, ‘McBride's background history casts so much doubt on his suitability for this position that one simply has to ask the following questions: What pressure does McBride exert on the ANC? What is McBride prepared to do when in this position that makes it so crucially important that he should be appointed?'

According to Buys, South Africa's taxpayers are fed up with recurrently misguided appointments being financed with their hard earned money. Taxpayers must watch helplessly how cadre deployment is considered to be more important than service delivery. ‘The mere fact that a person with McBride's background is considered for the position as head of a body acting as watchdog over the Police is outrageous and sends the wrong message. This position requires a trustworthy person who inspires confidence. McBride's nomination undermines the constitutional provision that public administration should promote and maintain a high standard of professional ethics.'

Buys said the South African Police Service's constitutional mandate, among other things, is to prevent, fight and investigate crime. ‘The watchdog function that IPID must fulfil to investigate crime within the SAPS is of the utmost importance. If the government is serious about restoring and promoting South Africa's image locally and abroad, McBride's nomination for the post should be withdrawn immediately. If not, the police service and IPID will not be able to execute with any credibility their respective mandates to protect and safeguard the people of South Africa and their property.'

Statement issued by Flip Buys, Solidarity General Secretary, January 31 2014

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