Do You Really Believe This Man?
South Africa - Cape Town - 20 January 2026 - Former Independent Police Investiga Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption, political interference, and criminal infiltration in South Africa’s criminal justice system, especially within the SAPS. McBride confirmed his ongoing ANC membership and declined to disclose his current employment, citing the National Strategic Intelligence Act. He faced questions about his IPID tenure, alleged links to private investigator Paul O’Sullivan, and reports of laughing during the hearing. The session continued into Wednesday, with O’Sullivan summoned to appear later. The inquiry follows claims by senior police officials of systemic misconduct and aims to restore trust in law enforcement amid ongoing concerns about corruption.
Image: Armand Hough
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Former police chief and spy boss Robert McBride’s testimony to the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee had heads shaking, here's what some X users had to say:
@misumuzi_4 We finally all know exactly what Paul O’Sullivan’s official role at IPID was. Robert McBride nailed it. The whole of South Africa knows! Lt-General Phahlane and Cedric Nkabinde were right. Our own Xi Ping.
@MARKVANJONES So surely Mcbride didn’t like O’Sullivan interfering with the investigation against Phahlane. Clear to me O’Sullivan had an agenda in getting Phahlane sent down even though investigations was ongoing. If Phahlane is found guilty of wrongdoing the case will be harder for them.
@minicooperr93 Bloody crook McBride who was colluding with a foreigner Paul O’Sullivan, thinks we believe him about Gen Mkhwanazi and Nkabinde. He must forget it.
@Mramatla_ Guys, is McBride really a head within the SSA? Are we safe as a country?
@calvin3000 So basically, McBride said: ‘I don’t care what your little committee says about me.’
@Sentletse McBride in his sworn statement said that there was clear evidence of corruption against Phahlane and when asked to provide the evidence, he prevaricates..
@Mkhize_vela McBride doesn’t know how a complaint is launched to IPID.
@MDNnewss Former IPID head Robert McBride claims that former Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s Chief of Staff was a Zimbabwean national who allegedly used false documentation and a falsified CV, and was also arrested.
@SihleManq What’s McBride’s mission, eintlek? I heard he wanted Mkhwanazi investigated regarding some murder investigation he did.
@Cecilia_Mthwane Hon Nqola will make you forget he is from that party for a second. What a capable patriot! If that party is serious about cleansing itself, they must get millions of Hon Nqolas to lead. McBride was seriously taken aback.
@RichmanSekatane This Robert McBride needs to go to #MadlangaCommission and face Mr Chakalaka. This arrogance will evaporate in minutes.
@ZizinjaAbelungu Robert McBride is making a mockery out of members of parliament and the Ad Hoc Committee. He doesn’t respect any of them.
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