M cBride’s appearance was marked by tension from the outset. Members of Parliament reprimanded him for arriving late to the proceedings, while some MPs accused him of displaying dismissive behaviour, including laughing, when allegations were raised against him. The committee also questioned McBride over his failure to update his curriculum vitae as required, to which he responded that he had not had time to do so.

Central to the hearing were claims that McBride abused his position as IPID head and acted with bias against certain SAPS officials, most notably former acting National Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. MK Party MP David Skosana accused McBride of allowing private investigator Paul O’Sullivan, an outsider, to perform work that should have been carried out by IPID.

McBride denied the accusation, stating that O’Sullivan was neither a member of IPID nor SAPS. However, he acknowledged that information provided by O’Sullivan was credible and had assisted in initiating investigations that ultimately led to Phahlane being taken to court. McBride described O’Sullivan as “a person with resources and information.”

ANC MP Xola Nqola questioned whether McBride had colluded with O’Sullivan to establish a task team aimed at discrediting Phahlane and blocking his appointment as National Commissioner. McBride dismissed the claim and launched a personal attack on former IPID investigator Cedric Nkabinde, stating that Nkabinde could not be regarded as an honourable person. He further accused Nkabinde of greed, alleging that he sought money without doing the work and was obsessed with a flashy lifestyle.

The hearing also revisited allegations made by McBride regarding former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo aggressively questioned McBride about his claim that Mthethwa had hired an undocumented Zimbabwean national, Leon Mbangwa, as his chief of staff. McBride alleged that Mbangwa had no security clearance, used a fraudulent South African identity document, and had access to classified information within the Minister’s office.

Further scrutiny was placed on McBride’s credibility after he made allegations against SAPS General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. McBride testified about luxury handbags allegedly given as inducements to SAPS officials, including Mkhwanazi, during a trip to Paris, claiming the items were not declared. He also suggested that Mkhwanazi should be investigated for failing to attend the funeral of a close friend and for allegedly being the first person to arrive at a murder scene.

However, MK Party MP Nomvalo challenged McBride on these claims, exposing what he described as baseless accusations made without evidence. During the proceedings, McBride stated that General Sibiya was a credible police officer, while maintaining that General Mkhwanazi was not.

Honourable Thulani Shongwe questioned McBride on the credibility of various witnesses, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, as the committee continued to probe inconsistencies in McBride’s testimony.

The Ad Hoc Committee hearing highlighted deep divisions and raised questions about McBride’s conduct during his tenure at IPID, with MPs from across parties expressing concern over alleged abuse of power, bias, and the credibility of serious allegations made against senior law enforcement officials.