McBride launches court bid to keep job

Police watchdog boss Robert McBride is heading back to court to keep his job.

McBride wants the courts to set aside Police Minister Bheki Celes’ decision not to renew his contract as head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Cele argues his decision is not cast in stone and it’s up to Parliament to make the appointment.

It is far from the first time McBride has gone to court to keep his position.

In 2015 he successfully challenged an invalid decision by former Police Minister Nathi Nhleko to suspend him.

Cele has written to Parliament’s portfolio committee on police, proposing that McBride’s five-year contract not be renewed.

McBride says the minister is acting unlawfully because the committee won’t have time to consider the matter before his contract ends.

In court papers, Cele says the Ipid won’t grind to a halt when McBride’s term ends at the end of the month.

In fact, he says, there’s nothing stopping McBride applying for the position if his decision is confirmed and the post is advertised.

Police union Popcru says such squabbles only undermine stability in the police.

Parliament will have the final say on who will head the independent police watchdog.

McBride is hoping his court action will force the portfolio committee to decide his fate before 28 February.

The court case has been set down for next Tuesday.

Source: eNCA