Let’s look at McBride. During apartheid his weapon of choice was a bomb. Something you can plant and walk away from while it ticks away to indiscriminately kill and injure innocent people. He admitted bombing the “Why Not” Restaurant and Magoo’s Bar in Durban in 1986 in which 3 women were killed and 69 people injured. He was sentenced to death, but later reprieved. In 1992 he was released after his actions were classified as politically motivated. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission later said the bombing was a “gross violation of human rights”.
We won’t go into the details of some of his later activities, like allegations of gun-running to Mozambique or how he got off from charges of drunken driving. The bottom line is that this individual is a nasty piece of work.
McBride’s nomination is another disgrace to the beleaguered South African Police Service (SAPS). Solidarity is currently obtaining legal advice, and should McBride’s appointment be approved, the union will legally contest the appointment on behalf of its members. To add insult to injury, in 2006, McBride already received the Merit Medal in Silver and the Conspicuous Leadership Star from the South African National Defence Force for his service and combat leadership in Umkhonto We Sizwe.
Flip Buys, General Secretary of Solidarity, says South Africa’s taxpayers are tired of seeing their hard-earned money bankrolling repeated inappropriate appointments. Taxpayers have to stand by powerlessly and watch cadre deployment being put before effective service delivery. ‘To consider a person with McBride’s background for the position as head of an organisation that acts as a watchdog for the police is outrageous and sends the wrong message. This position requires a credible person who inspires confidence. McBride’s nomination undermines the constitutional provision that the public administration must promote and maintain a high standard of professional ethics. The fact that Minister Nathi Mthethwa is even considering McBride for the position is an indication that police management do not take their constitutional mandate seriously, but are more interested in enforcing the ANC’s policy of cadre deployment at all costs.’
Buys says the police’s constitutional mandate is, among other things, to prevent, to combat and to investigate crime. ‘The IPID’s watchdog role of investigating crime within the SAPS is crucial. Citizens want to be assured that this role will be fulfilled with integrity, transparency and the seriousness it deserves. McBride’s history casts suspicion on his suitability for the position and will cause confidence in the SAPS to drop even further. If the government is serious about restoring and promoting South Africa’s image both locally and internationally, they must immediately withdraw McBride’s nomination for the post. If they fail to do so, the SAPS will not be able to carry out their mandate of protecting and safeguarding South Africa’s residents and their property with credibility.’
