'McBride ruling calls Police Minister's fitness into question'

The ConCourt today set aside the decision by Nhleko to suspend the head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robert McBride, saying it was unlawful.

Mcbride was suspended by Nhleko last year for allegedly tampering with a report by IPID on former Hawks boss Anwa Dramat and Hawks Gauteng head Shadrack Sibiya who were accused of being involved in the rendition of four Zimbabweans in 2010 and 2011.

McBride approached the ConCourt in May following a successful challenge of the matter in the North Gauteng High Court.

Throughout the challenge, McBride maintained that the IPID Act was unconstitutional in giving Police Minister Nathi Nhleko powers over the independent institution.

DA spokesperson on the police, Zakhele Mbhele says the court ruling also confirms the independence of the police watchdog body.

"It's also a third slamming indictment against the police minister who has had adverse rulings from the court starting initially with his unlawful suspension of Anwal Dramat as Hawks head and then his being implied in the ruling that the parliament process and report on the Nkandla issue was also overstepped in its bound. So, its increasingly the case now that there are grounds for the minister not to be fit for purpose and that's a liability in this position," he said.

Listen to Justice Chris Jafta as he delivers the ruling in the Constitutional Court earlier today.