Former IPID head Robert McBride has unequivocally stated that only suspended Deputy Police Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya is credible among the senior police officials, while others, such as Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanzi, Cedric Nkabinde, and Khomotso Phahlane, lack credibility.
McBride’s comments came during his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, where he was questioned by MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe on several high-profile corruption investigations within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
McBride did not mince words when asked to clarify his views on these officials.
“I’m saying they are not credible,” he told the committee.
When it came to Sibiya, McBride stood firm in his belief that the general was trustworthy. “From what I know, he is a credible officer,” McBride said.
But the same could not be said for others, especially Mkhwanzi, whom McBride accused of interfering with IPID investigations.
“Not credible,” McBride said bluntly. He also expressed concerns about Nkabinde, who he said had been “sent home to fix up his evidence,” a clear indication that McBride believed Nkabinde’s actions had been questionable at best.
The former IPID head’s testimony comes amid growing concerns over the police force’s ability to address corruption and misconduct, particularly in cases involving top-ranking officers.
In his testimony, McBride reflected on several ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption, including the infamous R45 million Crime Intelligence scandal.
He described how senior officers, such as Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba and General Khehla John Sitole, were implicated in an alleged conspiracy to misuse the Crime Intelligence secret funds, but admitted he had not personally opened cases against them.
McBride said the matter was referred to IPID, but voiced frustration over the lack of progress, with the investigation dating back to 2017.
McBride said that despite nearly nine years passing, “no arrests” had been made.
“IPID worked hard, 18 hours a day, to get the case going, but it’s still not arrested,” McBride said, suggesting that IPID’s failure to act decisively had allowed such corruption to persist.
One of the more explosive revelations during the testimony was McBride’s confirmation of a case involving Bongani Mbindwane, the advisor to former Minister Fikile Mbalula.
McBride said Mbindwane was involved in a corrupt scheme to inflate a tender from R7 million to R47 million, although the case is still under investigation.
“There was such a case,” McBride said. He added that the investigation was ongoing, but had yet to be concluded.
McBride was also questioned about the infamous rendition case involving two Zimbabwean nationals, one of whom was killed after being deported illegally.
McBride confirmed that the deportation had been irregular and that it was one of the reasons why Sibiya and former Hawks head Anwa Dramat, had been wrongfully dismissed from their positions.
He was quick to clarify, however, that the two officers had “nothing to do with it,” and the new evidence, which included cell phone analysis, had led to their reinstatement.
“I didn’t change the report. We added new evidence that was obtained,” McBride said
McBride also addressed the wealth of senior police officers, specifically General Phahlane and Manza, whose property holdings have sparked questions about their financial dealings.
McBride confirmed that Phahlane’s house was valued at R8 million at the time, but emphasised that owning expensive property did not automatically imply corruption.
While McBride acknowledged knowing about Manza’s wealth, he stated that he had not investigated him as there were no allegations of wrongdoing tied to him.
However, when Shongwe pressed McBride on why he didn’t investigate Manza’s assets despite being aware of them,
“I haven’t heard any allegations of him stealing or getting kickbacks,” McBride said.
He also noted that the investigation into Patani’s house was initiated due to the specific allegations of misconduct.
In his testimony, McBride painted a picture of a police service still struggling to confront deep-rooted corruption, with investigations often stalling or being obstructed.
“If you want to get to the heart of corruption, you need officers who are not afraid to stand up and do what’s right,” McBride said.
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