McBride Alleges Mkhwanazi Obstructed Phahlane Investigation

Key Takeaways:

• Robert McBride, head of the State Security Agency’s Foreign Branch, has accused KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of trying to disrupt a critical police watchdog investigation.
• McBride has also alleged that Mkhwanazi understated his proximity to a murdered investigator, Mandla Mahlangu.
• The ad hoc committee is investigating allegations of a drug cartel infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system, politics, and private security.
• McBride’s testimony has raised questions about Mkhwanazi’s role in the alleged cartel infiltration and his potential motives for making public accusations about the issue.

Introduction to the Controversy
The ad hoc committee established to investigate allegations of a drug cartel infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system, politics, and private security has been plagued by controversy and infighting among senior state law enforcement figures. At the center of the controversy is KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who has made public accusations about the alleged cartel infiltration. However, Robert McBride, head of the State Security Agency’s Foreign Branch, has accused Mkhwanazi of trying to disrupt a critical police watchdog investigation. McBride’s testimony has raised questions about Mkhwanazi’s role in the alleged cartel infiltration and his potential motives for making public accusations about the issue.

Allegations of Disruption and Intimidation
McBride has alleged that Mkhwanazi’s press conference last year, where he first made public accusations about the alleged cartel infiltration, was designed to intimidate. McBride has also stated that Mkhwanazi and former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane are close, and that Mkhwanazi had tried to disrupt the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (Ipid) investigation into Phahlane. Additionally, McBride has raised questions about Mkhwanazi’s proximity to a murdered investigator, Mandla Mahlangu, who was investigating Phahlane at the time of his death. McBride has pointed out that Mkhwanazi was the first person on the scene after Mahlangu was shot and after his murder, but did not attend Mahlangu’s funeral, which McBride finds inconsistent and suspicious.

The Murdered Investigator
Mandla Mahlangu was an Ipid investigator who was murdered in 2020. McBride has stated that Mahlangu was killed after making incriminating statements about a person who had since testified before the ad hoc committee. It has been previously reported that Mahlangu was investigating Phahlane at the time of his death. McBride has also stated that Mahlangu and Mkhwanazi were friends, and that Mkhwanazi had been the first person on the scene after Mahlangu was shot and after his murder. However, McBride has pointed out that Mkhwanazi did not attend Mahlangu’s funeral, which he finds inconsistent and suspicious.

The Role of Cedrick Nkabinde
Cedrick Nkabinde, who previously worked at Ipid and later became chief of staff for police minister Senzo Mchunu, has also been implicated in the controversy. McBride has testified that Nkabinde had been investigating Phahlane while at Ipid, but later testified at the ad hoc committee that he had been part of a team assembled to ensure that Phahlane would not be appointed national police commissioner. McBride has pointed out that Nkabinde’s testimony was inconsistent and that he had lied in the past. McBride has also described Nkabinde as "greedy" and "likes money", citing his lavish spending habits.

McBride’s Suspension and the Constitutional Court Ruling
McBride was appointed Ipid boss in 2014, but was placed on precautionary suspension in 2015 over a saga involving rendition allegations. However, the Constitutional Court set aside McBride’s suspension in 2016, and he resumed his role as Ipid boss. McBride has stated that he believes he was framed and that the rendition case was used as a pretext to suspend him. He has also pointed out that the allegations against him were later found to be baseless and that he was vindicated by the Constitutional Court.

Crime Intelligence Infiltration
McBride has also testified about the infiltration of Crime Intelligence into the Ipid. He has stated that upon his return from suspension in 2016, he was alerted to irregularities in the way investigations had been conducted during his absence. He has alleged that certain cases were prematurely closed without proper investigation, and that this was due to the infiltration of Crime Intelligence into the Ipid. McBride has also pointed out that the control of the secret service account, which has been the source of looting accusations, "makes people invincible".

Corruption in the Police Service
McBride has stated that during his time at Ipid, he tackled corruption in the police service, including systemic corruption. He has pointed out that at the end of his tenure, there were between eight and 13 generals and about 10 brigadiers who were on trial for corruption. However, he has also stated that since his departure from Ipid, no new cases of corruption have been taken up, and that the police service is still plagued by corruption. McBride has described the situation as a "national emergency" and has called for urgent action to address the issue.

McBride’s Testimony and the Ad Hoc Committee
McBride’s testimony has been marked by controversy, with some ad hoc committee members expressing concern about his demeanor and gesticulations. However, McBride has explained that he smiles easily when conversing, and has apologized if his behavior has caused any offense. The ad hoc committee is expected to continue questioning McBride on Wednesday, and his testimony is likely to be closely watched by the public and the media. The committee’s findings and recommendations will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the alleged cartel infiltration and corruption in the police service.