McBride asks court to suspend disciplinary action

Robert McBride has asked the Labour Court in an urgent application to suspend disciplinary steps against him pending an investigation into the Minister of Police’s ‘interference’ with Ipid, Beeld reports. It notes that the suspended Ipid head wants the High Court to pronounce on the statutory powers of the Minister over the Ipid head. He argues that the police watchdog body is not sufficiently independent from political interference and should enjoy the same level of protection as the Hawks. The Minister is of the view that he is simply performing his oversight role. Steven Budlender, counsel for McBride, argued that the Minister’s handling of his client’s case is ‘pertinently under suspicion’. Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, for the Minister, denied this and said the application was not urgent. Judge Annelie Basson is expected to deliver judgment today.

Full Beeld report