By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The former head of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Robert McBride, has made striking allegations against KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
McBride has appeared before the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating police corruption.
The ad hoc committee is looking into accusations that Mkhwanazi made that a drug cartel has infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system, politics and private security.
McBride’s testimony underscores the rifts between various senior state law enforcement figures. His previous positions include Ekurhuleni Metro Police chief and Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head.
Under McBride’s watch, Ipid investigated former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, who faces charges in a corruption case and has countered that he is the target of an ongoing smear campaign.
Phahlane testified before the ad hoc committee last week and alleged that among those who targeted him were McBride and forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan.
McBride testified that Mkhwanazi and Phahlane “are very close”.
Reading from a statement he submitted to the ad hoc committee, McBride said: “I do not know General Mkhwanazi, except, I have previously encountered him in a meeting when former Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko introduced himself to the SAPS senior management and the ‘entities’.
“From my memory, General Mkhwanazi was whining about not being given work and responsibility and his whining was directed at the [now-former] National Commissioner, Riah Phiyega.
“From my time at Ipid, I am aware of incidents [involving] General Mkhwanazi having played an undue and prosecutable role in trying to disrupt and scuttle the Ipid’s investigation into Phahlane.”
Some of the focus on Tuesday was on Mandla Mahlangu, an Ipid investigator who was murdered in 2020.
McBride said Mahlangu was killed “after making incriminating statements” about a person who had since testified before the ad hoc committee.
It has previously been reported that Mahlangu was investigating Phahlane.
McBride testified that Mahlangu and Mkhwanazi had been friends. He said that when Mahlangu had once been shot at, and also following his murder, Mkhwanazi had been the first person on the scene.
McBride said that he had been to Mahlangu’s funeral, but Mkhwanazi had not been present. He added, “For me, it’s inconsistent and it needs to be looked at.”
In 2023, Khumbulani Sithole was convicted for Mahlangu’s murder.
McBride also testified about Cedrick Nkabinde on Tuesday.
Nkabinde previously worked at Ipid and went on to become chief of staff for Senzo Mchunu, the police minister who was sidelined last year as part of the overall cartel infiltration scandal.
He described Nkabinde as having lied in the past and said he “is just a greedy person… he likes money. We are aware of him buying 10 suits at a time… He likes the flashy style, the money,” McBride said.
McBride was appointed Ipid boss in 2014, but the following year, police minister at the time, Nathi Nhleko, placed him on precautionary suspension over a saga involving rendition allegations. The members are expected to question McBride on Wednesday.